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Charity And Housebuilder Staff In Hampshire Join Forces To Gift Young Boy A New Garden
Mar 03, 2023
A 7-year-old boy from Basingstoke who has been diagnosed with a number of debilitating conditions has been able to venture out into his back garden for the first time, thanks to a project funded by David Wilson Homes and DG Construction Group.
Rueben Boyd suffers with several conditions including hydrocephalies, cerebral palsy, global disorder, and blindness, meaning he is restricted to a wheelchair and has up until recently been unable to access his garden due to steps and an uneven pathway.
This often resulted in Rueben being confined indoors, without the opportunity to experience fresh air or daylight unless he was taken out for the day.
The Teddy Bear Run, which is a fundraising organisation that helps to support families with children who are terminally ill or have life limiting conditions across the UK, organised a project to rejuvenate Rueben’s garden in order to make it more wheelchair friendly.
The fundraising organisation received financial support for the project from a number of property and construction companies, as well as a donation of building materials from David Wilson Homes and DG Construction Group.
Rueben’s mum, Polly Boyd, said: “Our new garden, which now has level access, means that Reuben will have a better quality of life and be able to enjoy himself in the summer months using his swing and doing hydrotherapy.
“As a family, he will be included in these various activities and enjoy these little things in life that mean everything to him. That we are very grateful for this to have happened.”
As part of the rejuvenation project, which took place across three days from Friday 20th to Sunday 23rd January, employees from David Wilson Homes and DG Construction Group along with many Teddy Bear Run volunteers, removed all existing paving, a concrete path, and artificial turf from the garden, before making sure the whole area of the garden was levelled out.
They then built a paved ramp leading up to the kitchen door from the garden to enable easy access to the outside area for Reuben.
The rest of the garden was laid with new paving, and a small lawn area was made with turf so that Rueben will be able to sit on the grass in the warmer months.
In addition to the basic framework of the garden, the volunteers then built a waist-height planter, which will shortly be filled with different sensory plants and flowers for Rueben to smell and touch while still being sat in his wheelchair.
New fencing and an outside light were also installed, as well as an electrical point to enable Reuben to have his hydrotherapy spa sessions in a hot tub that was kindly donated by a member of the Teddy Bear Run.
Campbell Gregg, Managing Director of David Wilson Homes Southern, said: “It’s a real privilege to be able to help sponsor and build a new garden for Reuben.
“The Teddy Bear Run is such a fantastic organisation, and the work they do to help support children and families who are suffering with serious illnesses is extremely valuable.”
Dean Grimes, Managing Director at DG Construction Group, said: “As a close supporter of The Teddy Bear Run, it is an absolute honour to be able to assist with this garden makeover and to be able to create a tranquil environment for Reuben and his family which they can enjoy for years to come.”
“Despite some challenging winter weather, the group of volunteers were able to overcome the extreme cold conditions and create a welcoming and much needed space.”
The Teddy Bear Run shared a video on its Facebook page, showing a timelapse of the new garden being built at Reuben’s home which can be viewed here.
For more information on the Teddy Bear Run, or to make a donation towards the fundraising organisation, visit the website.
We currently have a variety of new homes for sale in the Hampshire region, including spots. We also have a wide range of offers available to help you afford your new home including our deposit unlock scheme.
This often resulted in Rueben being confined indoors, without the opportunity to experience fresh air or daylight unless he was taken out for the day.
The Teddy Bear Run, which is a fundraising organisation that helps to support families with children who are terminally ill or have life limiting conditions across the UK, organised a project to rejuvenate Rueben’s garden in order to make it more wheelchair friendly.
The fundraising organisation received financial support for the project from a number of property and construction companies, as well as a donation of building materials from David Wilson Homes and DG Construction Group.
Rueben’s mum, Polly Boyd, said: “Our new garden, which now has level access, means that Reuben will have a better quality of life and be able to enjoy himself in the summer months using his swing and doing hydrotherapy.
“As a family, he will be included in these various activities and enjoy these little things in life that mean everything to him. That we are very grateful for this to have happened.”
As part of the rejuvenation project, which took place across three days from Friday 20th to Sunday 23rd January, employees from David Wilson Homes and DG Construction Group along with many Teddy Bear Run volunteers, removed all existing paving, a concrete path, and artificial turf from the garden, before making sure the whole area of the garden was levelled out.
They then built a paved ramp leading up to the kitchen door from the garden to enable easy access to the outside area for Reuben.
The rest of the garden was laid with new paving, and a small lawn area was made with turf so that Rueben will be able to sit on the grass in the warmer months.
In addition to the basic framework of the garden, the volunteers then built a waist-height planter, which will shortly be filled with different sensory plants and flowers for Rueben to smell and touch while still being sat in his wheelchair.
New fencing and an outside light were also installed, as well as an electrical point to enable Reuben to have his hydrotherapy spa sessions in a hot tub that was kindly donated by a member of the Teddy Bear Run.
Campbell Gregg, Managing Director of David Wilson Homes Southern, said: “It’s a real privilege to be able to help sponsor and build a new garden for Reuben.
“The Teddy Bear Run is such a fantastic organisation, and the work they do to help support children and families who are suffering with serious illnesses is extremely valuable.”
Dean Grimes, Managing Director at DG Construction Group, said: “As a close supporter of The Teddy Bear Run, it is an absolute honour to be able to assist with this garden makeover and to be able to create a tranquil environment for Reuben and his family which they can enjoy for years to come.”
“Despite some challenging winter weather, the group of volunteers were able to overcome the extreme cold conditions and create a welcoming and much needed space.”
The Teddy Bear Run shared a video on its Facebook page, showing a timelapse of the new garden being built at Reuben’s home which can be viewed here.
For more information on the Teddy Bear Run, or to make a donation towards the fundraising organisation, visit the website.
We currently have a variety of new homes for sale in the Hampshire region, including spots. We also have a wide range of offers available to help you afford your new home including our deposit unlock scheme.
