The heart-warming gesture that brought this Sheffield mum to tears

A disabled youngster can now enjoy some happy adventures in every nook and cranny of his garden thanks to a group of green-fingered volunteers.
Lauren Chappell with her sons. Picture: Steve EllisLauren Chappell with her sons. Picture: Steve Ellis
Lauren Chappell with her sons. Picture: Steve Ellis

Jamie Chappell needs to use a wheelchair and walking frame to get about due to cerebral palsy and nystagmus, conditions which affect his movement and vision.   

Read More
Next opens the doors to its new Sheffield city centre store
Lauren Chappell with her sons. Picture: Steve EllisLauren Chappell with her sons. Picture: Steve Ellis
Lauren Chappell with her sons. Picture: Steve Ellis

This also restricts the 12-year-old’s ability to play out in the back garden of his family home in Stannington.   

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But now that has all changed thanks to the Helping Hands Project, a home improvement programme led by WellChild, the national charity for sick children. 

A team volunteers dedicated two days to sprucing up the back yard at the home to ensure Jamie can get better access to all corners of the garden.   

Mum Lauren Chappell, aged 30, said: “It will make my sons’ life so much better and will let Jamie get to every bit of the garden.

A charity has finished a back garden makeover for Lauren Chappell. Picture: Steve EllisA charity has finished a back garden makeover for Lauren Chappell. Picture: Steve Ellis
A charity has finished a back garden makeover for Lauren Chappell. Picture: Steve Ellis

“He absolutely loves being outside, so to see him playing out there with his brother will be so nice.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

She also praised the charity and company for their hard work.

Speaking as they were adding the finishing touches to the garden, she added: “The garden is huge and I have tried to do bits and pieces here and there, but it is looking so much better.

videovideo
video

“I want to say a huge thank you to them, they're amazing. 

“I think I’ll be in tears when it’s finished.” 

Volunteers from the charity and Rhodar – a firm which specialises in  asbestos removal, demolition and remediation works –  have levelled the lower area of the garden and added some artificial grass that will give Jamie a nice area to play with his 10-year-old brother Liam.

They have also laid new decking and as Jamie is interested in gardening they have added some flower beds he can look after. 

Lauren with her sons Laim and Jamie in the finished garden with the volunteers who carried out the work. Picture: Steve EllisLauren with her sons Laim and Jamie in the finished garden with the volunteers who carried out the work. Picture: Steve Ellis
Lauren with her sons Laim and Jamie in the finished garden with the volunteers who carried out the work. Picture: Steve Ellis
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

While he currently uses a wheelchair, he also needs a space to practice using a walking frame and an electronic chair he will soon be getting.

The charity said replacing uneven paths and surfaces is ‘hugely important to the family’ as it will allow Jamie and his brother to ‘play outdoors together and he’ll be able to strengthen his muscles using the walker.’   

WellChild Helping Hands Project Manager Kieran Cullen said: “We are delighted to be able to provide this garden for Jamie where he can get access in his wheelchair to spend time with his family and play with his brother.

“We would like to thank all the hard working volunteers from Rhodar who are lending their support to help Jamie and his family.

“I’m sure the improvements will have a huge impact on Jamie’s quality of life and wellbeing.”