Family's joy as sensory garden for severely disabled son at Northampton home is complete

Two years ago, the family the Lewis Herbert launched a campaign to raise money for the garden and collected an incredible £24,000.

Lewis Herbert was diagnosed with West’s Syndrome at three months old which then developed into Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome (LGS) - a rare form of epilepsy which means he can have more than 100 seizures every day.

Lewis is severely disabled and absolutely adores all sorts of sensory equipment. Since Lewis and the rest of the Herbert family joined Tree of Hope in 2014, they have been actively fundraising to get Lewis the sensory Garden he has always dreamed of.

Lewis’s dad Gary, and the rest of the family are now delighted to have an outdoor space where they can finally spend some quality time, all together.

“We are delighted to announce that Lewis’ wheelchair accessible/sensory garden is now complete,” he said.

“Lewis has already been out in his new garden and absolutely loves the water feature, sensory flowers, sensory lights and mirrors, etc.

“He looked so happy, relaxed and chilled out in his new garden, which was so incredibly special for us to see,” he added.

“This new sensory garden is going to be absolutely amazing for Lewis, and we are going to be able to spend so many happy hours out in the garden with him. This is something which we have never been able to do, as in the past he has been isolated inside the house, as we couldn’t get his wheelchair into our old garden.

“Lewis is now going to be able to spend quality time in his garden with his whole family, which is going to be absolutely amazing for us all. This is something which most people take for granted, but for him to be able to access the garden means the absolute world to him and our whole family,” Mr Herbert added.

“We would like to say a massive thank you to the whole team at the Tree of Hope for allowing us to use your fundraising platform to raise the money for Lewis. And also for all your help, support, and advice throughout the whole fundraising period, you have all been amazing.

“Quite simply without you, Lewis’ dream of a wheelchair accessible/sensory garden at home would not have come true.

“We would also like to say a massive heartfelt thank you to every single person who donated and fundraised for Lewis’ sensory garden. You have all been so kind and generous towards Lewis and our whole family, and we will be eternally grateful to each and everyone of you.

“I would really urge families who find themselves in the same position as we do to contact the Tree of Hope and to start fundraising for what your child needs, as there are still a lot of very kind and generous people out there who want to help.”

A spokesman for Tree of Hope said: “We are so proud to have supported the Herbert family through their fundraising campaign for Lewis’ Sensory Garden and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Enjoy your new garden Lewis!”

Gary Cornhill, design director for Timotay Playscapes, said: “It is always touching to know that we have created something to make a difference and give a family a better life together. Through consultation, design and then construction we have created a sensory garden for a lovely family, truly devoted to making their home a place where their son can be included in both indoor and outdoor activities.

“This garden for Lewis allows him to explore a multi-sensory environment, including; sound, light, sight, reflection, touch and smell through a number of play items designed specifically for the Lewis and his family. We look forward to staying in touch with the Herbert’s and hope they have great fun in their new garden.”