MUM Claire Cook has thanked the charity and volunteers who joined forces to transform the family garden for her disabled daughter, Claire’s 14-year-old daughter Molly Begley has epilepsy, autism, profound learning difficulties, global development delay and scoliosis, and is in remission from a Wilms tumour, an agressive form of cancer.

When the family moved to their home in Pinehurst Road a year ago, the large back garden had fallen into a state of disrepair and Molly was unable to venture outside safely.

Through Molly’s occupational therapist, Claire was told about the Helping Hands team at children’s charity WellChild, who she contacted for help to make the garden suitable for her daughter.

Over the course of two days, the team, along with volunteers from CCR Mitsubishi and Ardent Office Solutions transformed the garden by breaking up existing concrete, levelling the garden, building decking, astro-turfing a section of the lawn, putting up a swing and installing new fencing and a sensory area.

Yesterday, the transformation was unveiled to Molly.

Claire, 36, said: “I don’t have the words to say how grateful I am to everyone that has helped, and what an impact it will have on Molly’s life.

“She loves being outdoors, she loves pushing her wheelchair and her buggy around and now she will be able to do that safely.

“It will really improve her health being outside in the fresh air and she’ll be able to be more active.”

Molly’s complex healthcare needs means it takes two adults to support her on trips out, so leaving the family home is difficult.

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Molly with her mum

Although the home has been adapted to enable Molly to get around safely, the garden had proved too big a challenge for Claire, who is also mother to Dellanie, 15, Charlie, 13, and Jack, eight.

“When we moved in the grass was so overgrown, there was rubble everywhere and fence posts sticking up which meant Molly had to spend all of the summer holidays stuck indoors,” she said.

“It’s so exciting to see the transformation.

“It looks great and Molly is really excited, her face lit up.

“I’m really grateful to everyone at WellChild, CCR Mitsubishi and Ardent for their support.”

Lyndsey Smith, the group marketing co-ordinator for CCR Mitsubishi, said: “It was hard work but the look on Molly’s face when she saw her new garden made it well worth it.

“We’re all really pleased to have helped on such a worthwhile project and we hope the family enjoy their new space.”

Lee Trunks, the programme manager for WellChild’s Helping Hands project, said: “WellChild is only able to complete projects like this thanks to volunteers.

“Without them we wouldn’t be able to help children like Molly. It’s great that the team from CCR Mitsubishi and Ardent have helped us make such a difference.

“This will make a life-changing difference to Molly and her family.”