Bryan Carroll, 7, doesn’t get out much.
Bryan, who was diagnosed with leukemia last year, is limited by his health in physical activity and the spaces he can visit. Most of his time has been spent in hospitals and around his house in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
But now, thanks to the help of over 50 community volunteers, the boy will be able to have many more adventures in his own back yard.
In just five hours, 79 people, including Bryan’s friends, teachers, and classmates, installed a swing set, brought in new furniture, laid fresh sod, and built a fire pit in the family’s backyard space.
Leanne Christie, a family friend, headed the project. With other volunteers, she planned the backyard makeover in four days. The group raised more than $3,700 for supplies and other materials, including hammocks, chairs, swings, and a bin full of toys for Bryan to play with.
The project was a surprise to the Carroll family, which was out of the area on a scenic train ride while volunteers were busy at work.
"To come home to this – it's fantastic," Bryan's father, Sean told Global News.
He told Yahoo Parenting, "[Bryan] loves it. It's the first time he's ever run outside like that, and it was great to see."
Bryan’s favorite additions are two brightly colored Adirondack-style chairs near the woods where he and his 10-year-old sister like to sit and talk.
“They just like to be off alone, brother and sister by themselves together, and not in a hospital,” Sean said.
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