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Knowle West girl’s garden transformed after community appeal
A disabled seven-year-old girl from Knowle West has been given a safe place to play in thanks to a community appeal.
Storm Griffin, who has Down’s syndrome, holes in her heart and sight and hearing problems, has been unable to use her “dangerous” garden since she was born.
But the overgrown and unsafe space it was only a few weeks ago has now been transformed.
is needed now More than ever
The community has come together to spruce up the space, turning it into a playground paradise.
Storm Griffin, a disabled girl from Knowle West, has been given a safe space to play in thanks to a community appeal. Photo by Charlie Watts
Liz Griffin, Storm’s mum, says that the new look garden – which the community raised £1,300 for – is “amazing”.
The grass and hedges have been cut and a new fence has been put up, making it safe for Storm to play in.
Liz said: “We call it a little park for her, but we haven’t got to go anywhere – it’s just in the back garden.
“She’s loving it, always smiling away – she doesn’t even want to come in when it’s raining now.”
Before the transformation, Storm’s back garden was overgrown and unsafe, with a broken trampoline. Photo by Nick Haskins
Liz’s friend Nick Haskins, who is also chair of the Filwood Residents Association, has spent the last few weeks doing up the garden – which now includes a slide, swing and more.
Liz added: “Nick’s done amazing and created freedom for Storm to come out and play in a safe environment.
“Going to other parks around here is not an option. There’s glass and needles about and you get people that take the mickey out of others.”
Nick Haskins has led the transformation of Storm’s garden, which now has a new trampoline, Wendy house and decking area. Photo by Charlie Watts
Nick, who lives in Bedminster Down, told Bristol24/7: “It’s going to be a better ‘play park’ than what they’ve got anywhere in Knowle West.”
The retired landscaper, who has suffered from two heart attacks in the past, decided to take on the challenge of fixing up the garden after bumping into Liz and her daughter in a local shop.
“There was something about her that resonated with me, and she melted my heart,” he says about Storm, who is also being tested for ADHD and autism.
He set up a GoFundMe page and has been inundated with offers of help from the community.
Nick adds: “The backing I’ve had has been incredible and there’s people out there who really care. All I can say is thank you from the bottom of my heart.”
Charlie Watts is reporting on Knowle West as part of Bristol24/7’s community reporter scheme, a pilot project which aims to tell stories from areas of Bristol traditionally under-served by the mainstream media
Main photo by Charlie Watts
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