Volunteers make over garden in Rainham for disabled youngster Tomas Powell

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Nicola Jordan

njordan@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 11:49, 23 March 2020 | Updated: 12:11, 23 March 2020

Volunteers rallied round to make life a little bit more comfortable and safer for a disabled schoolboy.

Tomas Powell, from Rainham, is severely handicapped, having been born with an extremely rare genetic disease.

Parents Matthew and Emma Powell with the team from BW Plant Hire, the RJB Group, Tomas Support Group and Robert Brock and Sons skip hire involved in the garden makeover for Tomas Powell. Picture: Chris Davey (31502622)

The seven-year-old's parents, Emma and Matthew Powell, recently moved to a rented home in Rainham because they had outgrown their previous specially-adapted accommodation.

But with summer approaching, their steep, unlevel garden in Thompson Close was too dangerous for Tomas to venture outdoors.

Unable to afford quotes submitted by landscape gardeners, Emma, 33, took to social media in a plea for help. And she said the response was "amazing".

A group turned up in the rain to embark on their version of the television programme Groundforce to rip out weeds, flatten the plot, put up fences and install lights.

By the end of the day they had filled up two skips – fuelled by a constant supply of teas, coffees and bacon butties served by Emma and her mum Debbie Stewart.

Kelvyn Stewart and granddaughter Scarlett, three, at work on the garden makeover for Tomas Powell's home in Thompson Close, Rainham on Friday. Picture: Chris Davey. (31502704)

After compacting the ground with hardcore, concrete ramps were erected for Tomas to get around in his mobility chair.

Dobbies garden centre in Gillingham has offered to donate plants and planters.

Emma said: "What a lovely group of people. We are now looking forward to spending the summer outside as a family.

"Being outside is very important for Tomas. It helps with his stimulation and well-being.

"Everyone has given up time with loved ones, paid work and donated so many things to help our family.We just want to say thanks."

Tomas, a pupil at Abbey Court Special School, Strood, has Pelizaeus Merzbacher Disease which hinders the growth of fatty tissue around the nerves.

In his early years, he underwent surgery for a number of issues affecting his larynx, hearing and motor skills.

Research carried out in America shows that 500,000 babies all over the world have PMD and it is so rare that little is known about the condition.

With this in mind, Emma and shop manager Matthew, 34, launched their Triumph for Tomas charity in 2014 to raise awareness and fund research.

Among those who helped the Powell family were Medway Builders Merchants, RJB Group, Robert Ashley Bathrooms, Kent Electrical Supplies,BW Plant Hire and Dobbies.

The makeover was carried out before social-distancing became an issue.