Volunteers from the Birmingham office of property consultancy Colliers International have undertaken a garden make-over for two siblings from Stratford-upon-Avon.
Rhys and Sarah Fairweather, aged 7 and 5, now have a new outdoor space in which to play thanks to Colliers’ green-fingered team and a donation from Stratford Town Trust.
Over the course of two days 19 property consultants from Colliers International transformed the Fairweathers’ garden, flattening the uneven ground, removing debris, building a gate, making some outdoor artwork and laying a lawn and play area for the family.
The project was co-ordinated by WellChild, the national charity for sick children. Its ‘Helping Hands’ campaign aims to improve the quality of life of sick children through home improvement projects.
Rhys and Sarah both suffer from autism; the garden is intended to provide a safe and suitable environment in which they can play.
The makeover was made possible by a £1,000 donation towards materials costs by Stratford Town Trust, a charitable organisation set up in 1553 which provides community grants. Colliers International provided the manpower, plus a £500 donation. Kenilworth contractors Rogers Utilities supplied a digger and two workmen to remove the debris.
Natasha Wibaut, associate director in the Rating Team at Colliers International, co-ordinated the Colliers effort.
She said: “It was a very rewarding project for the Colliers team, but we really couldn’t have done it without the generous donation from Stratford Town Trust and Rogers Utilities doing the heavy work. Billy – Sarah and Rhys’ Dad – also threw himself into the project, providing great support and at the end of the two-day project Rhys and Sarah were truly thrilled with their new play area and seemed particularly pleased with their garden wall art.”
WellChild Helping Hands manager Lee Trunks, said: “This was a fantastic project which will make a huge difference to the lives of Rhys and Sarah. We would like to thank the volunteers from Colliers International and Rogers Utilities for all their hard work and Stratford Town Trust for their financial support which helped make the project possible.”