01-06-2025
Hedyn Homes to fix Llanmartin home for cancer suffering boy
Alfie Smith was diagnosed in January and requires chemotherapy and major operations. Bathing is central to Alfie's care and he only has an unfit upstairs shower available to him.
Today, after months of inaction, Hedyn Homes released a statement, following an Argus investigation:
'We're aware of the family's needs, and we're in the process of carrying out the necessary repairs to the home.
"We know that there are more works required, and we are working closely with the family and occupational therapist at the University of Hospital Wales to adapt the home."
A source has said Hedyn will now start work on the LLanmartin home in June.
Currently, the home's upstairs walk-in shower is unfit for purpose, its residual damp causes constant mould to reappear after cleaning.
The Argus investigation found damp smells coming from the plughole.
Little Alfie is having chemotherapy, which weakens his immune system. Alfie, who also has asthma, is required to bathe twice daily. Mould is a serious danger to his health.
Mum, Jess Dean said: 'No matter what I do, I just can't get rid of the mould. There's an old 'bogging' shower seat that needs to go too!'
Alfie has Ewings Sarcoma and the house currently fails to meet any of his basic needs. He faces a surgery marathon that will remove an arm bone and replace it with part of a leg bone. He will then need a specially designed wheelchair and years of physiotherapy.
The problems with the home are many, explained dad Mike:
'In the front garden there is a broken low-lying wall, the path isn't suitable for a wheelchair, his bedroom is upstairs and has no proper lighting.
"The problems just keep on coming,' explained Alfie's dad, Mike Smith.
Mum Jess explained before Alfie became unwell, he fell off the dangerous garden wall and was badly hurt in the area he now has cancer.
Many parents believe that Ewing's sarcoma is triggered by injury.
'The path isn't wide enough, has trip hazards and it's wall is dangerous,' said mum Jess. She also explained that after surgery Alfie's wheelchair won't fit the path.
Neighbour Wayne explained: "They've been failed, put out of site and out of mind and forgotten about. Let's hope this is the start of them being treated decently.'
