Garden revamp 'means the world' to disabled boy
BBCThe parents of an eight-year-old boy who has additional needs said a 48-hour garden revamp will change their son's life and mean he can enjoy going outside.
Lucas, from Podsmead in Gloucester, has a genetic muscle degeneration condition which means he uses a wheelchair.
Until the transformation, carried out by charity WellChild, Lucas struggled to move around his garden. But after the works, the outdoor space is now level, making it easier for Lucas to access.
Mother Becky said: "It means everything really. Everything. He likes being outdoors. So just having something that's accessible for Lucas, it just means the world."
The garden has been raised so Lucas can drive his wheelchair from the patio area onto the astroturf without having to navigate any steps.
His dad Lee said the work is "going to make an absolute difference to his lifestyle".
"He tends to like being at home because of the anxiety that comes with his learning difficulties, so having this space at home is going to make a world of difference," said Lee.
To unveil the new garden, players from his favourite rugby team attended the ceremony.
Gloucester Rugby player Jack Clement presented Lucas with a T-shirt signed by all the members of the squad.
"I think hopefully he's happy to receive that because it means a lot to him and it means a lot to me," Clement said.
Lee said the whole family were big Gloucester Rugby fans.
The Cheltenham-based charity WellChild transforms gardens across the country, helping those with complex needs.
Chris Capewell, from the charity, said: "It's genuinely life-changing for these families so this summer we're going to be doing 30, maybe 40, of these kind of projects across the country."
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