Formula One garden makeover gives boy new freedom

F1 fan Jenson was "blown away" by the transformation

The family of a boy with a life-limiting condition say he can now use his garden after it was given an accessible makeover with an Formula One racing theme.

11-year-old Jenson, from Churchdown, Gloucestershire, has a muscle-wasting condition called Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and uses a power chair to get around.

His garden has been transformed by volunteers from the charity WellChild, who have installed a path, deck and lights to make it safe for Jenson to use.

Jenson’s mum Chantal says he was “blown away” with the garden, and has felt “pure joy” watching her son enjoy it.

Chantal said the old garden was uneven and not suitable for Jenson's needs.

"It was all very bumpy ground and Jenson would quite often get his power chair stuck," she told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

“We’ve always had to go out with him into the garden and make sure he doesn’t have any falls which could cause more physical problems.”

F1-style racing lights have also been installed

The garden is inspired by Jenson's passion for cars and Formula One racing.

A pathway has been laid on rubber safety mats to take Jenson from his bedroom door to the end of the garden.

“There’s black mats going down with white edging and then a chequered line at the end of it," said Kieran Cullen, Helping Hands Programme Manager for WellChild, which is based in Cheltenham.

"There's also some nice sensory lights which have been made to look like the starting lights at the F1 Grand Prix."

Chantal says the new garden is giving Jenson the independence he wanted.

“He was absolutely blown away with the big reveal," she continued.

"He’s been out every single night in the dark and the rain, whizzing down the garden path. It’s been pure joy watching him so busy and happy.

"He can have complete independence now and it’s going to make life so much easier.”