Tamworth’s newest charity, Simon’s Heroes, have been at it again – this time making a young boy’s dreams come true.
Coton Green Primary School’s Blake Shaw (4), who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a condition which causes muscle weakness, had his dream garden completed at the weekend by caring members from Simon’s Heroes.
The group, who were awarded official charitable status last week, spent two weekends completing Blake’s garden, which had to be made wheelchair-friendly to suit the youngster’s condition.
And it was all hands on deck as members mucked in to help with digging up the garden, laying down the AstroTurf, building raised flower beds, putting up a new greenhouse for Blake’s vegetables and adding a water feature and pond.
Speaking afterwards, co-founder of Simon’s Heroes, Simon McNeilly, said: ‘I’d like to thank Richard Shaw for instigating and orchestrating the project from start to finish.’
‘His persistence, determination, emotion and pride shone through. The testament to Richard’s enthusiasm for this project was evident with the amount of Simon’s Heroes volunteers who gave up their time to come and help. Special thanks goes out to Paul Harding Landscaping for his time to co-ordinate the project on the days.’
‘And as ever a special thanks to the members for doing what they do best – helping people. Thank you on behalf of myself and Mark Bennett.’
Simon’s Heroes raised £4,000 for the project from a recent Winter Wolf Run and the group pride themselves on helping local children and families who need it most.
They completed Blake’s dream garden on Saturday (November 22) after spending the previous weekend working tirelessly on it.
Blake’s mum Sharon, speaking on behalf of the family, said: ‘We’re chuffed with it and cannot thank everyone who helped enough.’
‘Blake loves being outdoors. The raised flower beds and vegetable patches will make it much more accessible for him to do his own thing. I won’t have to be over his shoulder all of the time and it will make him more independent.’
‘I know he’s particularly looking forward to growing his own vegetables.’
As well as Simon’s Heroes, Woodlands Primary School (£203) and Coton Green Primary School (£291.30) also supported the project by donating half of their Children In Need funds to help with Blake’s garden.
Simon’s Heroes would like to give special thanks to:
- Paul Harding at Paul Harding Landscapes for helping every day.
- Stuart Smith at Gardeners World for discount on materials.
- Mike Gamble from Coventry Artificial Turf for providing a discount on the AstroTurf.
- Alan from Ripples for discounts on the pond and water feature.
- Gary Hayes from Lighting Bug in Cannock for donating the lights in and around pond.
- Richard Shaw from Simon’s Heroes, who was project manager, would also like to thank the Simon’s Heroes members who gave up their time to help get this project completed.
