A dad battling motor neurone disease (MND) is throwing open his home and garden to help boost research into the fatal condition and help his village.
Dr Colin Fenwick, 50, was diagnosed with MND in 2010. Since then he has lost the use of his arms and legs, and his lung muscles are deteriorating.
Colin is not expected to live past five years.
However, he and his devoted wife, Alison, 49, are determined to help research into MND in a bid to find a cure. They are hoping to share their story at the Three Villages Open Garden event this weekend – which involves 30 gardens in Lyme Green, Sutton and Langley opening to visitors to raise money for community projects as part of the parish plan.
The Fenwicks will open their home and garden at The Orchard, Langley and their children Anna, 16, and Jamie, 14, will run a cafe. Colin said MND symptoms first showed in 2009 with twitching muscles and stiffness. He said: “By 2010 I had been diagnosed with MND and had significant weakness in my arms and legs. I am in a wheelchair. Fortunately, I have retained my power of speech but my lung capacity is deteriorating.”
The couple has created a terraced, landscaped garden with slopes for Colin.
The Three Villages Open Garden event is on Saturday, July 12 and Sunday, July 13, 11am to 4pm. Tickets are £5 for adults, children go free, giving access to all gardens, from Sutton General Stores, Lane Ends Farm Shop and St Dunstan Inn, Langley, or call 01260 252565. For a list of gardens, go to suttonparish.org.
