A LOCAL girl battling terminal cancer will have her backyard turned into a fairy garden thanks to the help of her aunty.
Renmark’s Elizabeth Anderson-Reid was diagnosed with in inoperable brain tumour last November.
The four-year-old, who adores fairies and tea parties, is currently at home with her parents and younger sister and enjoys spending time outdoors.
Elizabeth’s aunty, Jean Anderson, said the family’s current backyard is unable to cater for Elizabeth’s needs and “needs a revamp”.
“When Elizabeth started showing symptoms of her legs not being able to be as strong as what they used to, I knew I needed to do something with the backyard,” she said.
“The backyard was child-proof but it needed a lot of work to make it safer for Elizabeth and her sister, so that’s when I started making calls.
“I rang a company in Adelaide to get rubber matting because it’s soft in case she falls and asked for fake turf so it’s levelled and no maintenance is needed.
“The whole backyard needed to be completely level grounding because she is wheelchair-bound, but she can walk with help.”
Mrs Anderson has already created a pink cubby house for Elizabeth but wants to add more to the backyard.
“I built a pink cubby house – just like the one the hospital had – but the garden isn’t complete yet,” she said.
“I’m hoping for a white picket fence to match the pink cubby house, a sandpit and a flower garden.
“Elizabeth loves sandpits and feeling the sand in her hands and feet.
“I want an area for flowers because at the end of the day the backyard will end up being a memorial garden for her younger sister to play in memory of her.”
Mrs Anderson called for locals to help transform the backyard.
“I’ve contacted Stoneham Building Contractors and the workers there have donated their time to help me with the backyard,” she said.
“If anyone is able to lend a hand or even donate flowers for the garden, that would be fantastic.
“It’s a big project and we aren’t sure how much longer Elizabeth has left so I want the garden completed as soon as possible.
“It’s important Elizabeth spends her last days outside breathing in fresh air, soaking up the sunshine and seeing nature.”
To help Mrs Anderson, call 0421 870 676.