Volunteer tradespeople unite to deliver home renovation project for 11-year-old Alex

Volunteer tradespeople unite to deliver home renovation project for 11-year-old Alex. Alex Heaney pictured with Brenda Higgins, Alex’s Granny, Kate Finnan Higgins, Alex’s mom, and his brother Dean. Picture: Picture: Olena Oleksienko/ilovelimerick

A project to renovate the home of 11-year-old Alex Heaney is gaining momentum as volunteer tradespeople come together to carry out major accessibility works in a County Limerick home

A volunteer-led project to deliver major accessibility works at the home of 11-year-old Alex Heaney from Patrickswell, who lives with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), is gaining momentum as a team of tradespeople is joining together.

The project aims to make alterations to the family home, which was not originally designed for wheelchair access, to provide access at the entrance to the house, as well as a side extension to Alex’s room and provide a wheelchair accessible bathroom.

Alex was diagnosed with DMD before his 5th birthday. He came off his feet before his 10th birthday and has been confined to a wheelchair since.

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Kate Finnin, Alex’s mother, spoke to I Love Limerick about how Limerick has always been a great community, but it is “different” to feel it close to home.

She said, “We always knew that Limerick was a great community; everyone always comes together to help whenever someone needs it, but to feel it at your own doorstep is something different altogether.”

The project, started by a local plumber, has seen tradespeople and others willing to lend a hand come together, as well as an iDonate page created, with Kate noting how the support so far has already had an impact on Alex and his family.

Kate said, “Having people band in behind him has made us and Alex’s needs feel seen, and we feel so much love and care from the lads and the surrounding community.”

The local plumber who helped start the project said, “ The house is not suitable the purposes they need, they’re outside of the threshold to get any government grants, which is really disappointing. I’m a plumber myself, I know a lot of tradespeople – a lot of good people – I know what it takes to get something like this done, so we just made the decision that if government grants aren’t available, let’s see.

“Limerick is a generous place, with people who are generous with their money and time. Since an article was published this past weekend, we have already had people contact us about trying to come in and give a hand.”

Adding to the support offered, Kate noted people have been in touch, reaching out to offer help in a number of ways, she said, “We’ve had a few people reaching out offering to help in any way they can, be it offering services, money or picking up a paintbrush, it truly is amazing to see and it just goes to show how much people want to and are willing to help, and if there are any others who want to offer help we are more than happy for anyone to jump on board.”

Knowing the scope of the work at hand, Kate said, “It’s a big job for a handful of people to carry out, so if there’s anyone else who’s willing to offer their services, it would be greatly appreciated. This really will give Alex and his brother, Dean, a new lease of life. It’s giving Alex the independence and the dignity of privacy that he deserves, and we honestly can’t thank everyone enough; it’s overwhelming.”

Plans are now underway, which will see an architect give their time in the coming weeks to help plan the project. Knowing the project will take time, the group will then seek planning permission for a suitable side extension to include an accessible bedroom and ensuite.

The organiser of the project said the effort is not about recognition, but about helping a family in need, telling I Love Limerick, “There’s a family there that needs help. We’re just willing to do it.”

People who would like to get involved in the project are asked to email the organiser Leon McGrath at [email protected] the organiser for further details.