MONEY raised in memory of a toddler killed by his mother is to be used to renovate an outdoor centre for youngsters in the Borders.

More than £3,000 was donated to the Mikaeel Kular Memorial Fund by local residents and people living further afield, who were touched by his tragic death.

The decision has now been taken to give the cash to an outdoor project for young people from the Muirhouse and Drylaw areas of Edinburgh where Mikaeel lived.

My Adventure, run by Muirhouse Youth Development Group, are using the funds to repair the Towford Outdoor Centre, near Jedburgh.

They currently have a long-term free lease from Scottish Borders Council and are planning a play area and gardens in memory of Mikaeel in the 17-acre grounds.

The donation will go towards the immediate repairs of the 19th century former school building, including rewiring and the installation of a wood burning stove.

Further upgrades, including window replacements, shower-room improvements and better disabled access will be made to Towford, which has been lying empty for 17 years.

Work on the gardens, which will be named after Mikaeel, will begin next year and a large team of volunteers has already pledged to help.

The Towford facility will aim to help young children explore the outdoors while also providing a base where teenagers can have a break from the city and learn new skills. Pupils from Craigroyston High will be among those who will benefit from the centre.

Mikaeel’s mother Rosdeep Adekoya, 34, was jailed for 11 years in August after pleading guilty to the culpable homicide of three-year-old Mikaeel.

She beat her son over three days in January before hiding his body in a suitcase and reporting him missing.

Muirhouse Youth Development Group director Jonny Kinross said: “The money raised by this community for Mikaeel’s Memorial Fund will secure his legacy and will specifically help create a children’s play area in the 17-acre grounds dedicated to him and as a testament to how his community showed strength, solidarity and compassion at a time of their greatest need.”