Motherwell mum's bid to provide life-changing dream garden for brave six-year-old daughter

30-04-2025

A loving Motherwell mum is determined to build a specially adapted garden for her six-year-old daughter who has a very rare genetic condition. Kelcie Brooks, 36, has been waiting for a suitable council home for over three years. Kelcie's six-year-old daughter Winnie has the extremely rare condition Coffin-Siris Syndrome, there are currently only 200 known cases in the world. Exasperated by the lengthy wait for a new house with no guarantee of a suitable home being found, Kelcie has secured a privately-let ground floor flat with a garden in North Lanarkshire which is more suited to Winnie's needs and is preparing for the move. The youngster has had issues since birth and underwent brain surgery when she was just a month old, but was only diagnosed with Coffin-Siris Syndrome at the age of four. The condition means she's unable to walk, or talk and needs constant care. Winnie has multiple disabilities and uses a wheelchair, but loves being outdoors and the move will be life-changing for her. She manages to get around on her knees and loves being active. Her mum, who is Winnie's full-time carer, is determined to raise the funds to adapt the outdoor space into a dream garden at their new home to allow her daughter to enjoy daily life as fully as possible. Currently the garden is not at all child-friendly or safe for Winnie as it's accessed by a number of stairs, and is uneven and made up of patchy grass with a few broken slabs. However, Kelcie's plans to install a child-safe soft surface, a sand pit, and a trampoline, the adaptations along with landscaping will reach to a five-figure sum. She is funding as much as she can herself with help from family. 'Initially, I was a bit naïve and didn't realise how much gardens cost," said Kelcie. 'With Winnie's limitations, it's getting more difficult to do things at local parks alone with her so an outside space where she can safely play will help her tremendously. 'This garden would be life changing for Winnie. She's a very happy, sociable and brave girl who's been through a lot in her short life. 'If we can raise at least £10,000 then we'd be able to get the basics; we need a ramp, the soft-pour tarmac surface for her knees, sand pit and an in-ground trampoline. If we can get that and it's all safe then over time I can eventually add other bits and pieces. "She's obsessed with sand, and calls it mand. Ideally we could have a mud kitchen and tuft trays for messy play, something that spins for her to sit or lie on. And a tunnel would be amazing as it's typically her favourite thing at play parks. "Safe and accessible is the key though, but the more donations we get the more we can do. 'We've already been helped by local businesses as we go into a lot of cafes and stuff. So they've donated and shared the link. 'We got a big donation of £5,000 from Garron Noone, an Irish musician and comedian. I'd messaged him and he replied and sent the donation, which was incredible.' Kelcie knew from when she was pregnant that her daughter would have health issues. 'We went for a scan and the woman told us we had to go to foetal medicine, and I had to go for tests,' Kelcie said. 'We then found out she had hydrocephalus. It's been constant hospital appointments since Winnie was born. 'You see people with kids in wheelchairs but it doesn't really cross your mind what life is like until you're in that position. 'We are in hospital a lot for respiratory issues, when she gets a cold it turns really bad. She wants to be outside and do stuff, we can't stop her getting a cold but we have treatment plans in place and she has daily nebulisers and inhalers. "I want Winnie to have the best life she can have. She tells me in her own way that she wants to go outside and see people. 'Winnie loves people and loves school. She just loves everything and is the happiest girl you could ever meet, she's absolutely ecstatic. "She's a genuine ray of sunshine and I'm blessed to be her mum. 'Yes, things can be difficult with all the hospital visits but I always look at the positives and just want to make her life as good as I possibly can. 'My hope is that as well as donations we may potentially get a few people reaching out who could perhaps do the job.' You can find Kelcie's GoFundMe page to build Winnie's dream garden at: https://gofund.me/19d70160 *Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here . And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here .

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World War One serviceman remembered as rededication service held at Lanarkshire Paupers Cemetery

Daily Record

2 days ago

Daily Record

World War One serviceman remembered as rededication service held at Lanarkshire Paupers Cemetery

Organised in partnership with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), the ceremony brought together the Depute Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire, politicians, community members, veterans, and descendants of Private Patrick Tierney from his native County Kildare. The Friends of Hartwood Paupers Cemetery were honoured to host a moving and heartfelt rededication service for a World War One serviceman. ‌ Organised in partnership with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC), the ceremony brought together the Depute Lord Lieutenant of Lanarkshire, politicians, community members, veterans, and descendants of Private Patrick Tierney from his native County Kildare. ‌ Through the tireless work of the volunteers at Friends of Hartwood Paupers Cemetery, Patrick's family has been reunited with the final resting place of their long-lost relative, who served his country with honour. ‌ This rededication ensures his sacrifice will be remembered and respected for generations to come. Lorna Docherty, speaking on behalf of the Friends of Hartwood Paupers Cemetery, said: 'This rededication reflects our enduring commitment to ensuring that every individual who served is remembered by name and honoured appropriately. 'The discovery and recognition of Private Tierney's grave is a testament to the dedication and persistence of everyone involved, and especially to Rhona, who never gave up. 'Through this journey, we have also been fortunate to make new friends from Kildare, brought together through the touching reunion of Patrick with his family. These connections remind us that remembering the past can build lasting friendships and strengthen the bonds between communities.' John Tierney, great-great-nephew of Patrick, expressed gratitude on behalf of the family. ‌ He said: 'Patrick had been 'lost' from our family history for reasons unknown. Today, thanks to the kindness of strangers, he is no longer lost. We are deeply moved by the respect shown to him here in Hartwood.' During the service, Depute Lord Lieutenant Gavin Whitefield CBE spoke movingly about Patrick's life, his military service, and the hardships he endured, before laying a wreath in his honour. The ceremony, led by Father Brady from St Patrick's Church in Shotts, included a moment of silence, the call of the bagpipes and bugle, and the community's collective act of remembrance. ‌ The event came to a poignant close when Patrick's great-great-great niece Sine Tierney played a traditional Irish tune on her tin whistle. It was a touching tribute, and we pray that Patrick could hear the beautiful sound. Clare Adamson, MSP for Motherwell and Wishaw, said: 'It was an honour to join the community and Patrick's family for such a poignant occasion. ‌ 'This service not only honoured Patrick's sacrifice but also highlighted the compassion and determination of those volunteers who worked so hard to restore dignity to his memory. The bond now formed between our community here and Patrick's family in Kildare is truly inspiring.' Airdrie and Shotts MSP Neil Gray added: 'It was a true privilege to attend the rededication of Private Patrick Tierney's grave and to witness the heartfelt reunion with his family. "The ceremony was a deeply moving reminder of the sacrifices made by so many, and of the importance of ensuring that every individual who served is remembered. It was also an opportunity to recognise the outstanding dedication, persistence, and compassion of the volunteers whose tireless efforts made this reunion and rededication possible.' ‌ Sehar Sardar, Commonwealth War Graves Commission Public Engagement Coordinator for Scotland, concluded: 'Seeing the dedication of Patrick's family and the local community come together to honour him was incredibly moving. 'Ensuring that those who served are never forgotten is at the heart of the CWGC's work, and today was a beautiful example of that commitment in action.'

Rise in Irish A-level entries bucks trend with German, French, and Spanish in decline

Belfast Telegraph

5 days ago

Belfast Telegraph

Rise in Irish A-level entries bucks trend with German, French, and Spanish in decline

The upward trend was in contrast to the decline seen by other languages at this level, with Irish entries up by 2.1% in comparison to last year. Numbers studying German fell by almost a third (32.9%), while French entries declined by 8%. Despite a 4.5% decline, Spanish remains the most popular language among A-level entries, followed by Irish, French and then German. "Languages help us connect with people and cultures' – Mary Mallon, British Council Mary Mallon, head of Education at British Council Northern Ireland, said the overall downward trend in language study was 'concerning'. "Congratulations to all students across Northern Ireland receiving their A-level results today,' she said. "This is a significant achievement, and we wish you every success as you move forward into the next stage of your journey - whether in further study, training or the world of work. "Although entries for many A-level languages continue to decline - a trend that is concerning given the importance of language skills - we remain committed to working with schools and educators to ensure language learning remains a vital part of education in Northern Ireland. "Through our Language Assistant Programme and other international school programmes, we help connect Northern Ireland's schools and young people with peers worldwide, enriching language learning through genuine cultural exchange and global perspectives. "Our latest Language Trends 2025 report highlights the enduring value of language skills - not just for individual learners, but for Northern Ireland's global future. "Languages help us connect with people and cultures, open doors to international opportunities and are vital for building strong economic and diplomatic relationships. Belfast History Explained: Who was Mary Ann McCracken? "We recognise that there are challenges. Teachers have shared concerns about limited uptake, pressures around enrolment and the demands of current exam structures. "These barriers must be considered if we are to give all young people the chance to benefit from the opportunities that language learning brings. "Languages are more than just subjects - they are tools for life. In an increasingly connected world, your ability to communicate across cultures will be one of your greatest strengths.'

The Powys church and its mysterious skull and crossbones

Powys County Times

10-08-2025

Powys County Times

The Powys church and its mysterious skull and crossbones

A CHURCH in Powys is full of mystery. The 750 year old St Fraid Church in Llansantffraid dates back to the 11th century and and is dedicated to the memory of an Irish Saint, who is reputed to have crossed the Irish Sea on coracle. More than 15 churches bear a variation of the Irish nun. However, the church also has more recent mysteries - like a painted skull and cross bones in the porch and a bell which was originally intended for a church in the next parish. Within the porch are two sections of an aged gravestone found in the churchyard. One half bears a skull and cross bones; the other an hour glass and a hammer crossed with another implement. Speaking in 1955, the Rev Hughes-Thomas, said that little else was known about the stone, except that it was probably the lid of a tomb. Whose tomb? That remains a mystery. Much more is known about the bells. The big bell, which is inscribed "Peace and Good Neighbourhood," is dated 1718, and was bound for Llanfechain Parish Church when the horses pulling the wagon became bogged in the deep mud of those early Montgomeryshire roads. The bell remained on the roadside for several weeks, the wagon wheels sinking deeper each day. Eventually it was decided to move it no further and it was hung in St. Ffraid's nearby. Two other bells are marked 1618. In 1863, when the Prince of Wales was married, the bells were pealed so violently to celebrate the event that one was cracked and had to be re-cast.