Team effort creates special garden for Jack

4:39pm Friday 1st August 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

Four-year-old boy with cerebral palsy has been given a dream garden to stimulate all his senses thanks to the generosity of villagers.

The family of Jack Smith, from Bampton, applied to the Make a Wish Foundation to get the garden project off the ground. They got a £750 grant, but it was kind-hearted locals that turned their dream of a sensory garden into reality.

The St Mary's Ladies Lunch team from the village church donated flowers. Neighbours and friends alongside Rupert Gooddy Plants Ltd, of Buckland Road, Bampton, and Newington Nurseries, near Wallingford, brought plants.

Jack's delighted mum Jane Smith said: "People who have seen Jack saw a chance where they could actually help him, especially when we put up a notice outside our house.

"Even the milk lady dropped off a plant to add to the garden," she added.

With all donations in, family and friends got together for the transformation at Jack's home, in New Road - installing a water feature, play equipment and plants - including one that smells of chocolate - that will engage his senses of smell, sight, sound and touch.

As a pupil of Witney's Springfield School, Jack has access to a sensory garden there. So his parents, Jane and Jason, thought it would be ideal if they created one at home.

Mrs Smith said: "It's taken us two weekends to get it finished, but it was great to see Jack sitting out there listening to the wind making the bells chime.

"He just loves being outside by the trees and having the wind on his face."

Mrs Smith added: "There was a good buzz about the place while we were doing the work. It seemed to bring everyone together in a good atmosphere to help give Jack what he wants."