Makeover for Matty’s garden by generous team
‘Saw appeal and was more than happy to help’
LANDSCAPE gardeners have completely refurbished a family’s back garden to help a teenager with an untreatable brain tumour.
Matty Hatton, 15, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2016.
He recovered after 18 months of treatment.
However, earlier this year, Matty, from Mountsorrel, was told the tumour had returned and it was untreatable.
The tumour affects his balance, which made going into his garden risky due to steps and uneven decking.
Following a shout-out on a Facebook page from a family friend, landscape gardener Rob Knapp offered to completely refurbish the garden free of charge to make it safe for Matty to enjoy the outdoors.
Rob, 43, said: “After I saw the appeal on Facebook, I got in touch and said I’d be happy to help.
“I went to the house, drew the design up and begged and borrowed from suppliers to get it done.”
Rob, from Thrussington, who has run his business Knappster
Landscapes for 18 years, had a personal connection to the job.
He said: “I lost my best mate to a brain tumour nearly two years ago, so I wanted to help.”
As well as receiving all the materials free from suppliers, his employees offered to work for no charge to finish the job. Rob worked with the company CM Landscapes.
Rob said: “When I told Alison (Matty’s mum) that I would do it, I think she was in shock.
“You don’t do it for praise, it was just nice to see Matty out in the garden again.”
Alison, 48, said: “Matty has problems with his stability and that would be dangerous for anyone. He is particularly unsteady on his feet.
“It is amazing to have this support from so many people, and now we have an amazing garden that cost us nothing.”
The team removed the decking and laid a larger flat patio, with some shallow steps into the garden. The gardeners also created an area in the corner of the garden for the family’s hot tub to go, which Alison bought for Matty with money raised from their Justgiving page.
Alison said she feels overwhelmed with all the support her family has received over the past few months from the public.
She said: “I could cry with happiness. It’s really emotional and overwhelming to know these people are coming out to help you. I can’t believe it really.”
“Matty can now go into the garden and make memories and on days he is not well enough to go out, he can still spend time outside.
“He’s spent more time in the garden in the past week than he has in the previous three years.”
Alison said she wanted to thank all the businesses which provided materials free.
They are Wrightmix concrete, Terratruck, Blue Skip Hire, Buildbase, Wanlip Sand and Gravel, Charles Bentley, Derry’s Nurseries, Ethan Mason Paving and Interfuse.