Garden makeover is perfect Christmas present
THE completion of a garden makeover will be the perfect Christmas present for one islander with motor neurone disease.
A host of local companies and volunteers came to the rescue of Sam Holland and her family at the end of the summer after she was let down by a contractor who started the work but failed to complete it.
The transformation into a wheelchair-friendly space has come just in time for Mrs Holland and her family to enjoy their first family Christmas for six years.
Her sons, Ben, who is back from New Zealand, and Matt, who has been given special Christmas leave from the Royal Navy, said they wanted to thank all those who had worked so hard to give their mum back a garden she could really enjoy.
‘We really want to thank everyone who was involved,’ said Ben, ‘from her occupational therapist Dawn, who put us in contact with Guernsey Motor Neurone, to developers Infinity, who managed the project, Norman Piette who supplied materials, Guernsey Gardens, who gave money for flowers, and Island Electrics, who added the wiring to the summerhouse free of cost.
‘We have so many people to thank, and apologies if we have forgotten anyone.
‘This really shows that one thing Guernsey is good at is coming together as a community when help is needed.’
Where just months ago there was ripped-up turf and a half-built patio, there is now a functional garden with paving, ramp, borders and a heated summerhouse.
‘The main goal was to make this as wheelchair-friendly for Mum as possible,’ said Matt. ‘It was so stressful for her to have a building tip outside, and to have a usable garden will make a massive difference for the whole family.’
Motor neurone disease is a rare condition that progressively damages parts of the nervous system. This leads to muscle weakness, often with visible wasting.
Guernsey Motor Neurone donated £5,000 towards the project and helped with contacting firms.
Committee member Susie Hunt said that with MND the emphasis was often on the physical effects of the condition but it was also important to consider the effects on mental health too.
‘That impact is on the sufferer but also their loved ones,’ she said.
‘The garden was Sam’s great love, for us it was a no-brainer to get involved, but we were blown away by the generosity of local companies who have allowed Sam to have a garden she can enjoy once again just in time for Christmas.’
