Community Gateway contractor transforms garden for little girl with disabilities

Monica with her mum, Emma and dad, Michael. Pic: Community Gateway Association

One of Community Gateway’s contractors has transformed a garden for a little girl with multiple disabilities.

FH Groundworks was looking to give something back to the communities where they work. They heard about a girl with multiple health problems who could not access her garden.

Fran Horkan from FH was introduced to Monica, 5, her mum, Emma and Dad Michael by Community Gateway Association surveyor, Jim Park.

Jim had been helping with some adaptations outside the family home when Fran noticed the garden was uneven and difficult for Monica to use.

Fran and the team completely transformed the garden in only two days.

They levelled out the garden, replanted it with new grass, replaced fence panels, built new planters and more.

The contractors added ramps and planters so the family can enjoy the garden together.

They also added ramps and handrails so Monica can easily get into the garden using her walker.

Monica’s mum and dad said: “We’re so grateful and excited, especially for Monica. It’s let her have her independence and she’s coming on leaps and bounds already with her walking.

“The garden is somewhere for us to get together as a family, we can all come and relax. I catch myself looking out of the window and smiling – thank you isn’t enough. We’re so grateful to Fran and the team – they went above and beyond and did a full DIY SOS.”

Community Gateway Association is Preston’s largest housing association, managing roughly 6,800 homes across Preston and surrounding areas.

Jim, the association’s surveyor, said: “Fran is a brilliant contractor, and the perfect person to give the family that little bit extra. He went above and beyond – for him, it wasn’t about profits, it was about people.”

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