Teenage girl’s garden transformed

Nicole Fitton is pictured with members of The Co-operative Pharmacy’s senior team who have transformed her garden.

The garden of a teenage girl from Middleton has been transformed, thanks to a makeover from the Co-operative Pharmacy.

A group of 12 representatives from the Rochdale-based business’ senior management team gave Nicole Fitton’s garden a makeover, creating a more accessible and pleasant environment for her to enjoy, as part of a Helping Hands project for Well Child – the national charity for sick children.

Miss Fitton, 16, who lives with her mum, has global developmental delay, learning difficulties and epilepsy resulting from meningococcal septicaemia at 12-weeks-old. She has no independent mobility and is reliant on a carer for all activities of daily living.

Over two days the team introduced raised beds for sensory plants and a seating area to the garden for Miss Fitton and her mum to enjoy. A new path and level patio means Miss Fitton can now move around the garden more easily.

Lee Trunks, Well Child’s Helping Hands Project Manager, said: “Nicole has waited a long time to get help with this project and has only been able to sit and look at her current, uninspiring garden from the sidelines. We’re delighted that The Co-operative Pharmacy has been able to make a difference to Nicole’s life.”

Co-operative Pharmacy Managing Director, John Nuttall, said: “We are really pleased we could help Nicole and hope that she enjoys spending time in the new garden.”