Hemel Hempstead residents thank OAP for '˜joyful' front garden

Winston Abela, aged 74, with his garden and some of his friends in Hemel Hempstead

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Winston Abela, 74, spends hours every day tending to the front lawn outside his house in Cambrian Way, Highfield.

And residents passing by have noticed the extraordinary effort Winston has put in, and have clubbed together to raise money to help the pensioner make his garden even better – and to also say thank you to him for brightening up their day.

Winston, who has lived in his Highfield flat for the last four years, has made “so many people smile” according to  Gill Turan-Wyatt, who wanted to reward Winston and let  him know how many people he was pleasing.

Winston with just some of the people who donated to help him with the upkeep of his garden

“I decided to put a picture on Facebook of the garden, because it makes me smile so much every time I go past,” she told the Gazette.

“The picture got a lot of  response with lots of people saying how lovely it was.”

Gill then got in touch with local companies to see if they also wanted to help elderly Winston, and he has had solar panels and free fish and chips already from fellow Hemelites happy to hear of a good news story.

She said: “I just want to thank everyone who gave something. It has made  Winston really happy. He’s said he feels like a celebrity!”

Winston says he is 'over the moon' that he has brought joy to residents

And a thrilled Winston said: “Gardening is my hobby and I can spend all day doing it.

“It’s nice to see the children smiling when they walk past. I’m over the moon.”

Visit the fundraising page at www.gofundme.com