The Sunderland branch of Mobile Mini, a leading hirer of portable accommodation and secure storage solutions, is improving the quality of life for youngster Keaton Oakes (10), who has Cerebral Palsy, by providing vital space at home via one of its storage containers.
Keaton’s dad, Darren Oakes, who has worked as a Dispatcher at Mobile Mini’s Sunderland branch for the past three years, was overjoyed when his colleagues offered to help, after learning that his family-of-five were struggling due to a lack of space in the home for Keaton.
Ten-year-old Keaton is a wheelchair user and his bedroom has been situated in the downstairs dining room for the past year. Now weighing four stone, he needs help with everyday activities such as dressing, eating and bathing and is becoming too heavy to be carried upstairs. Because of this, Keaton needed a specially-designed bedroom and bathroom that fits all of his specific needs.
The family planned to convert the garage into Keaton’s new room, but needed additional space to store its contents, including Keaton’s hoists and other specialist equipment while work got underway.
The donated Mobile Mini storage container, which is situated in the front garden of the family home, provided the storage space needed to complete the renovation without seriously disrupting everyday life for Keaton, his older brother George (age 12), younger brother Oliver (age 6) mum Romana and their pet dog, Oscar.
Zoe Brookes Marketing Director at Mobile Mini in Sunderland commented: “We’re delighted to help our friend and colleague Darren and his family. After hearing of the family’s struggle during a branch meeting, we wanted to assist Keaton and improve his living arrangements. We’ve now delivered the container, completely free of charge, so the renovation can get underway.
“We’re a close knit team here at Mobile Mini and proud that we’re able to help our colleague make such a life changing difference for his family. We look forward to seeing Keaton’s new room once it’s finished.”
Keaton’s dad, Darren, also commented, “We simply didn’t have enough space to get renovations started, as the garage was full of vital equipment and furniture for Keaton. The storage container enabled us to keep everyday life as normal as possible for Keaton while work on his new bedroom took place.
“His new room has everything Keaton needs, including his own bathroom and special hoists to get him to the bath. I cannot thank my colleagues at Mobile Mini enough, the new bedroom will make a huge difference to our little boy, improving his quality of life and giving him room to develop.”