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Swedish firm refurbishes Guernsey disability centre's garden

Eddie Prentice on the new ramp which allows all members to access the garden

The Ron Short Centre, based at Beau Sejour, has a new area for socialising and growing plants.

The Swedish base firm EKA has fixed up the rear entrance and garden at the Ron Short Centre for free.

The newly paved pathway improves wheelchair access from the road, while the construction of planters and a small garden shed (donated by Norman Piette) allows service users to get gardening and cook with fresh produce - and sell plants.

The charity's MD, Dr Rob Harnish, says the company's generosity is heartwarming.

"What started out as a request to help us make safe an unusable fire-escape was turned by EKA into an opportunity to completely renew what had been a dead space.

"We were amazed to see the team working all daylight hours, even over the weekends, to complete the project efficiently and to a very high standard.

"The fact is, the dedication of the team has not only made a huge difference to the accessibility of our facilities and to the appearance of the building, but it has opened up new ways to make life better for everyone who attends the centre.

"We could not be more grateful to Armands and his team from EKA for their work and for their support for our vision of a fully inclusive Island community.”

Ron Short Centre member Anthony Pengelley in the new Garden shed donated by Norman Piette

EKA Chairman Armands Starpenieks says he was personally motivated.

“My mother was affected by epilepsy and has sadly passed away.

"I have close family members and friends also impacted by disability and long-term illness.

"I deeply empathise with how debilitating disability and illness can be for individuals and their families.

"After seeing the improvements needed at the Ron Short Centre, I just had to help with their incredible work.

"We at EKA are supporting the centre with materials and work teams to refurbish and reinstate the back entrance to the Enabling Technology suite and the garden and BBQ area, which had fallen into disrepair and badly needed access improvements.

"It was just the right thing to do.”

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