A group of students have transformed a garden into an accessible sanctuary for a man who has lost the use of his legs.
Ten horticultural trainees from Suffolk Rural College have been working at the home of Adrian and Louise Waterhouse-Taylor in Felixstowe, Suffolk.
Mr Waterhouse-Taylor said he was “delighted” with the upgrade and it would help him “continue as before”.
The students laid out a lawn, gravel and winter garden, a vegetable bed and a perennial bed.
Mr Waterhouse-Taylor, 64, said he has been unable to walk since January 2021 and is now looking forward to sunning himself in his garden and spending time at the summer house.
The project was led by students Zibby Parker and Nicky O’Brien, both from Felixstowe, as Ms Parker has known Ms Waterhouse-Taylor since they were five.
Ms Parker said: “Adrian has been through a lot over the past few years.
“I went to college and explained his situation to him, and everyone in the class agreed.”
She said everyone wanted to help and it gave the students valuable gardening experience.
Mr Waterhouse-Taylor said: “I lost my foot four years ago and then in 2020 I had a bad back.
“After collapsing at home, I spent four months in the hospital unable to use my legs after an abscess on my spine was diagnosed. I had bad luck.
“I want the garden to have a similar feel to the rest of the house so that I can carry on as much as I can.
“I absolutely love the garden and my wife and I are incredibly grateful to the Suffolk Rural team for their amazing efforts.”
The couple paid for the work, with the manual work being done by the students, assisted by their tutor, Neville Stein.
“The way Zibby, Nicky and the rest of the class took on the work was contagious,” said Mr. Stein.
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