The bunnies are running riot, the birds are making a racket and the kids are falling about laughing – welcome to Anipals, Glasgow’s liveliest youth club.

Set up by Deaconsbank mum Lynda Webb when she couldn’t find anything locally for her animal-loving foster son Ross, it has grown arms and legs (or should that be fur and feathers?) over the past year.

“Ross really liked animals but when I started looking around for a club or a group that gave kids the chance to learn more about pets, I couldn’t find any,” explains Lynda.

“So I decided to do it myself.”

With support from family – Lynda is married to Andrew and has twin sons, Calum and Lewis, who are 20 – and Voluntary Action, she launched not-for-profit youth club Anipals last April.

The group meet every second Monday at Woodfarm Community Centre in Woodfarm High School to take part in a variety of activities and talks from local wildlife centres.

It now has 15 members and this week, celebrated a £500 funding boost from McIntosh of Strathmore’s McInvest Community Grant Awards.

“The money is a fantastic boost, we’re delighted,” adds Lynda.

“We’re hoping to use it to organise volunteering experience at an animal shelter in Aberfoyle in the summer.

“We are keen to arrange for the children to volunteer and assist in duties with various types of animals building upon the knowledge and experience they have gained at the club.”

The club is aimed at boys and girls aged over 11, who have an interest in animals, wildlife and conservation.

Meeting weekly, they offer a range of educational, hands-on and fun activities for members. Some have additional support needs, others plan to pursue a career working with animals and some just love to join in for fun.

“I had never done anything like this when I started it up, and it has been hard work – I had no idea how much was involved,” smiles Lynda.

“I just wanted to create something that would give kids who liked animals the opportunity to learn more about them in a safe, fun environment.

“We want them to develop their skills and build up their confidence and hopefully the club also helps them feel more included.”

For Ross, it was a fantastic opportunity to meet new friends and spend time with like-minded teenagers.

“I really enjoy going along to the club and helping out,” says Ross, who is now 18.

“It’s great seeing all the different animals and learning more about them.”

As well as inviting in local petting zoos, vets and other animal experts, the club organises community projects and ‘field’ trips.

Lynda explains: “Recently we ran a ‘Bee Chirpy’ project as part of an Action Earth campaign, organised by the national charity Volunteering Matters and funded by the Scottish Natural Heritage.

“We planted bulbs, made hedgehog homes and bird feeders and the kids had a great time.”

The group is looking for more members and volunteers and hoping some will go on to use this volunteering towards the Saltire or Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

Lynda smiles: “It’s been a really rewarding thing to be part of – seeing children blossom and grow in confidence is amazing.

“Being around animals is very therapeutic so there are lots of benefits for the young people taking part – and the skills they are developing will help them in later life whether they go on to work with animals or not.

“It’s fantastic – I’m really proud of what we have achieved so far.”

McIntosh of Strathmore has supported a number of local groups across Scotland since the launch of their McInvest Community Grant Awards last year.

Managing director Julie Nisbet explains: “We had thought about sponsoring a single charity in the past, but what’s great about the community fund is that we can really help so many different people, in different areas across Scotland.

“We have had an overwhelming number of applications, and I’m delighted to announce Anipals in Glasgow as our most recent beneficiary.”

Anipals has teamed up with Premier British Wrestling to host a family-friendly wrestling show in the Maccabi Youth and Sports Centre in Giffnock on Sunday, June 18.

The event will start at 1.30pm and tickets are priced at £6. A family-of-four bundle can be bought for £20.

To reserve your seat, go to: www.eventbrite.co.uk.

Anipals meets every second Monday at Woodfarm Community Centre.

For details email anipalsglasgow@gmail.com.

The McInvest scheme application is open to applications throughout the year.

Any community group that might benefit from a cash boost should apply online via the website at www.mcintoshfoods.com/mcinvest