'Help us create memorial garden for George'

The family of a two-year-old boy who died in a gas explosion are working to create a memorial garden tribute to him - and are appealing for help from the community.

George Hinds died was fatally injured in the blast at a neighbouring house on Mallowdale Avenue in Heysham in May 2021, with four adults also left injured and a man later jailed.

The family home was severely damaged and his grandmother Janice Studholme said that she and her family have decided to turn the land into George's Forget Me Not Garden.

Kev Wilson from Kev Wilson Builders and his team have now volunteered to lead on the project free of charge but the family are calling on more people to come forward and get involved.

In October 2022, Darren Greenham was jailed for 15 years after pleading guilty to manslaughter, damaging a gas meter and theft of gas following the blast.

Preston Crown Court heard he had used an angle grinder to cut the pipe at his home to sell for scrap, causing the blast.

George's parents were among those injured in the explosion.

Ms Studholme said: "Creating George's Forget Me Not Garden means a lot.

"At the moment this land is derelict and I feel so sorry for the children walking past it on their way to school.

"We want George's garden to be used and loved."

The nurse said the garden, which would include an area for the family to come to reflect, was a fitting memorial to George as "he loved being in the garden and outdoors".

"He had a little bike with no pedals which I've still got in my loft and he would go round the garden on it and round Happy Mount Park in Morecambe," she said.

"George was an angel. He was so placid and was one of those little boys that would have been asking 'are you okay?'

"He was the most fun loving and really happy little boy and was a lovely little man. He was just a joy."

Claire Wilson, from Kev Wilson Builders, said "it's just nice to give something back" and they hoped to begin work on the footings for the garden in the next three weeks.

She appealed for anyone keen to help to get in touch or to go to the George's Forget Me Not Community Garden page on Facebook.

Plans for the fully accessible garden, include a large table for schools to use, a water feature, sensory garden and artwork by local artists.

Thanking the community for their support, Ms Studholme said "they have been amazing. They have kept us going really".

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