What an amazing transformation has been created for ‘Keira’s BIG Build’ – where the 16-year-old now has her own personal 'teenage' downstairs space in the family home.
The building works involved converting the garage and adding an extension on the rear of Keira’s house, to accommodate a new ground floor bedroom and bathroom space for her.
On applying to Sullivan’s Heroes for help funding the project, Keira’s mum Debbie gave us some background into the requirement for the works:
“Having a new downstairs area will help our family so much. Keira is 14 now so carrying her upstairs is becoming increasingly dangerous. Having her own space so she can relax will also be amazing, as any 14-year-old desires; she will have freedom to come and go into her room as she pleases using her powerchair as the whole house downstairs will be accessible to her needs!”
Debbie continued, explaining the specific issues faced before the adaptations were put in place:
“The main challenges for us as a family were getting Keira upstairs to bed and bathroom. She had to spend the whole day downstairs with us in the living room and as a teenager that was just no fun for her. We were changing her on the floor in the living room – no privacy whatsoever.”
The cost of the building works required for the project exceeded the funding awarded by the local authority, resulting in a shortfall of £65,000 that needed to be secured before the project could proceed.
Undaunted by this hefty target, Keira’s family set about fundraising through Sullivan’s Heroes, with support immediately flooding in from family, friends and external organisations, as Keira’s mum Debbie advises:
“Having your fundraising page with Sullivan’s Heroes is super beneficial because the vast majority of big businesses will not donate towards an individual. They rather donate to a registered charity as it is more beneficial for them and they are much less sceptical when you are with a charity. It opens so many doors.”
Together with donations received through Keira’s fundraising page, friends also raised additional funds by partaking in The Kiltwalk, in conjunction with match-funding support from The Hunter Foundation.
Various companies, including many local to the family’s home, generously donated funds and services to support the works – such as the Rotary Club of Dunfermline, the National Benevolent Charity and Stephens Bakery, who helped fund bedroom equipment and flooring between them.
Blinds for the windows and doors in the new spaces were donated by Shadow Blinds, whilst the doors and windows themselves were kindly provided by CR Smith – who produced this beautiful video showcasing the completed works at Keira’s house.
As the video highlights – the new spaces created for Keira are life-changing for the teen, as her mum reflects:
“The differences are just amazing and we know that as time goes by there will be so much more that Keira can do independently.”
Funds were also gratefully received from ExxonMobil, towards a communication device for Keira to control elements of lights, music and TV in her new room – the details of which also featured in the family’s local newspaper, Fife Today.
Keira’s mum Debbie explains further the differences that this new technology and the spaces created have instigated for her daughter:
“Keira now has her own space and we don't actually see her much anymore! She comes home from school and straight into her bedroom. We set her up at her art desk or in her bed, whichever she asks for, then we leave her to it!! She controls everything through her eye gaze and Alexa, so sometimes we have to go in and tell her to stop blaring her music so loud. It's AMAZING, we absolutely love how independent she has become.”
Debbie also gives an insight into the support which Sullivan’s Heroes provided throughout the fundraising process:
“The fact that Sullivan’s Heroes is a registered charity is the sole reason that we were able to raise so much. Without the registered charity status we would not have been able to raise the funds.”
“Sullivan's Heroes helped not only with advice and motivation but also helped on a few occasions with cash donations that they had received – then the family would receive it directly from Sullivan’s Heroes”.
We are most grateful at Sullivan’s Heroes for all the support which has enabled Keira’s BIG Build to be achieved, and conclude with these lovely sentiments from Keira’s family:
“Sullivan's Heroes are literally what they say, they are Heroes to families like ours. They support and help you when needed and are super knowledgeable when it comes to what a family like ours needs. They know first-hand the lack of funding and help out there for families with disabilities.”
“Having a charity out there like Sullivan’s Heroes is an absolute godsend. We will be forever thankful for the support they give and will always nominate them to receive funds/donations in the future.”
