AN elderly couple have been given the chance to enjoy the sunshine again after their garden was transformed by a disability charity.

Pensioner Ron Woodthorpe, 84, and his wife Beryl, 82, who uses a wheelchair, had been unable to take advantage of the warm weather because the steep slope of their Newport home’s garden path and poor access made it difficult.

But fortunately, in stepped Papworth Trust Home Solutions. The charity helped Mr Woodthorpe – who is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer – obtain a disabled facilities grant from Uttlesford District Council to fund adaptations to the couple’s home.

A new path with turning areas, gentler slopes and a safer surface was created and a modified extra doorway installed to make it easier to get from the house to the garden.

“To say we are highly delighted with the improvements is an understatement,” Mr Woodthorpe told the Reporter.

“Without the extra back door and improvements to the access Beryl would be housebound now.

“It could be a real lifeline because if I have to get her to the hospital for a medical emergency I can now do so a lot quicker.”

Mr Woodthorpe also praised their revitalised garden, saying it looked beautiful in the summer and was wonderful to enjoy in the sunshine.

Papworth Trust Home Solutions gives specialist advice and support to older or disabled people in their own home, providing gardeners, architects and handy people.

Operations manager Damond Farguson said: “We were delighted to help the Woodthorpes get a disabled facilities grant for this work.

“Lots of older or disabled people don’t know about the help they can get to make their homes more suitable.

“We give people free advice when they call, and if we can’t access funding for the work we can get a quote for the cost and let people decide for themselves.”

Papworth Trust Home Solutions is offering a special discount of �5 off to all readers who can produce a copy of this story.