A GILSTEAD nurse and mum-of-two has told of her joy after neighbours nominated her for a complete garden transformation.
The free garden upgrade was part of the Greenbelt Gardens For Guardians campaign, set up by land management company Greenbelt.
Claire Martinez, who is 43 and a single mum to two boys aged six and ten, won because of her "amazing work as an assistant ward manager on a male acute mental health ward" at Airedale Centre for Mental Health.
The competition was set up to say thank you to NHS employees who have worked throughout the pandemic. Claire, who lives in Greenbelt’s Oak Glen development in Gilstead, said the experience "meant so much".
Claire said: "The fact somebody thought of me and felt I deserved this just for going to work is incredible and very humbling.
“Covid-19 has brought a whole new set of challenges. It hasn’t been an easy time but we’ve all pulled together to get through and do so with a smile for our patients who often don’t have anyone but us."
Claire described her garden as an “absolute wreck” before the transformation.
She said: “I haven’t had the time or money to sort it in years so it’s never been a priority. I needed something low-maintenance so I asked Greenbelt for the old decking to be ripped up and artificial, turf to be put down so my boys have somewhere practical and low-maintenance to play.
“I also asked for a small corner of decking where I can put furniture to relax when the sun comes out and a new patio area where we can sit and eat outside and I can enjoy the odd beverage or two.
“The upgrade is an absolutely incredible gift to both me and my children. It means we now have an outdoor space to play and relax. This is something I could never have provided anytime soon. I am so thankful.”
Claire also has a message for her neighbours: “I already knew I lived in an amazing place. The feeling of community is what made me want to move here in the first place. But now more than ever I feel very grateful to live where I do. Thank you so much for the nomination: you have no idea how much it means!”
Greenbelt Managing Director Colin Thomson said: “As a business we’ve lots of exciting developments, such as our Green Strategy and Pentad model, but right now we wanted to show our appreciation to our NHS heroes.
“We’re delighted we’ve been able to give Claire a relaxing, fun and usable green space where she and her two young boys can fully enjoy all of the immense benefits of the great outdoors.”
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