A DISABLED schoolboy's dream of being able to play in his own back garden has come true thanks to the generosity of his community.

Ollie Jenkins’ family unveiled the completed garden that they hope will enhance his life and said they had been overwhelmed by the public’s response to their plight.

They launched the Ollie’s Garden appeal to raise funds for re-landscaping to make it suitable for five-year-old Ollie, who has cerebral palsy.

And within eight months they had made the £13,000 needed.

The new garden has a large patio area at the top connected to an artificial grass and patio area below by steps designed so Ollie can negotiate them on his walker. He is now able to kick a ball, play in the paddling pool, go round on his trike freely and do physiotherapy.

His mum Cara said the changes had given Ollie more independence and, allowed him the chance to play with older brother Bryn, 8, and got him out in the fresh air. She said: “He loves it out there. The help we have had and the donations we have had, the suppliers, it’s just been brilliant. We’re just grateful for what people did. It’s nice to know that local suppliers and the local community really feel quite passionate about something like this.”

Work began in October and Ollie’s mum Cara said he had taken a keen interest, particularly when the diggers moved in.

Ollie, of Burnetts Lane, Horton Heath, was born 14 weeks premature and underwent a number of procedures to keep him alive.

He suffered a bleed on the brain leaving him with cerebral palsy, which affects his legs, meaning he can only walk with the help of a frame.

Just days old, he needed heart surgery and parents Cara and Paul, who works in the defence industry, were warned at times that there might be nothing doctors could do.

At seven weeks he had an emergency tracheotomy, where doctors made a hole into Ollie’s neck to allow him to breathe.

Ollie communicates with hand signs, but his parents hope after surgery to remove the tracheostomy later this summer he may soon be able to talk for the first time.

He needs 24-hour care and can only walk with the help of a frame.

The family launched their appeal last June and held events, but the majority of donations came from people moved by Ollie’s story.

Numerous local companies supplied materials, bricklayers donated a few days of their time, while Hedge End landscaper Ian Street managed the project.

All those involved were invited to the garden’s official opening on Saturday.