A HOSPITAL worker who is still on the road to recovery from coronavirus has spoken of her joy after a landscaping firm transformed an unsafe area of her garden with a £1,000 makeover – free of charge.

Tess Evans-Stone, who lives in Whitby, Ellesmere Port, works as a clinical support worker on the A&E department at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

She was nominated by a close friend to be the lucky recipient of a garden makeover worth £1,000 from Elton-based, family-run business MD Driveways and Landscapes, who were keen to show their appreciation for the efforts of local NHS staff during the pandemic.

Tess, who only returned to work last week in a non-frontline role due to her still feeling the effects of the virus, says she couldn't believe it when her name came out of the prize draw.

She and her husband Chris, who has his own health problems after suffering two strokes, had been unable to tackle the patio area in their back garden which over time had become uneven and dangerous.

Thanks to MD Driveways and Landscapes, which is owned and run by Matthew Daly, they now have a brand new patio area which they can safely use to enjoy the rest of their garden.

Tess said: "This has made a real difference to our life. We're absolutely made up with the job Matthew and his team have done.

"I think I speak for every NHS worker when I say it has been a very challenging time – and still is – so for someone to do this makes you feel really valued."

Chester and District Standard:

The new patio area.

She added: "I suddenly fell ill in mid-June. Every symptom you could think of I had. I only went back to work last week.

"I've had to be redeployed. I've been left with lung problems and can't be patient facing.

"It's only been over the last month that I've picked up stamina wise although I still get short of breath and the fatigue wipes me out."

Mr Daly, who set up MD Driveways and Landscapes 17 years ago, said: "During lockdown everyone was doing the Clap for Carers and I really wanted to give something back to a local NHS worker.

"I ran the competition on our Facebook page and had lots of nominations. I'm delighted that we've been able to make a big difference to Tess and Chris's life by giving their garden a makeover.

"Tess has worked on the frontline and had covid herself so she really deserves it."