There was barely a dry eye in the house when Karin Reynolds saw her made over home for the first time on Friday.
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The Metford mum was speechless when she was given a tour of the new-look house.
The makeover project was a three-week job with many hands on deck.
Ms Reynolds was expecting freshly-painted walls and clean floors, but she was astounded when she realised she had a brand new kitchen as well.
“It hasn’t sunk in,” she said on friday.
“It’s unbelievable.”
She was amazed by small features including new power points, windows and doors.
Mrs Reynolds said it felt good knowing her children would have a beautiful place to live after she dies.
“It’s piece of mind,” she said.
She said she was extremely appreciative of everyone who pitched in to help redecorate the home.
“They’re just fabulous,” she said.
“They’re part of my family, they’re so loveable.”
Friends transform home
It was an emotional month for the Metford community members who spearheaded the renovation of a terminally ill mother’s home.
Fairfax Media reported in April that Karin Reynolds, who has terminal cancer and lives in public housing with her children, wanted to leave behind a clean, safe home for her family to live in when she passes.
Ms Reynold’s friends Karen Stackman and Belinda Fitzpatrick began assembling volunteers, donations and lobbying the Department of Family and Community Services (FACS) to get on board.
And they succeeded – the department agreed to provide a full kitchen upgrade, tile repairs in the kitchen and bathroom and other minor repairs.
In addition they provided temporary accommodation for the family while works were carried out.
For more than three weeks a core group of volunteers worked tirelessly with the help of local businesses to transform the run-down property.
“We’ve laid flooring in the girl’s room, had blinds installed in every room, had the floor stripped and sealed… painted every room,” Ms Stackman said.
On Friday it all came together when the Reynolds family returned home.
“It feels magnificent,” Ms Stackman said.
“It has been harder than we thought, but we got there.
“We’re very proud.”
Ms Stackman said each of the volunteers had dealt with their own personal and family issues over the past month, compounding the challenge, but there was one thing that kept them slogging through the work.
“The kids and Karin – [the kids] need somewhere to spend their final times with their mum,” Ms Stackman said.
Ms Stackman said the team’s mood was lifted when they heard FACS was revamping the kitchen.
“We weren’t expecting that, it was great they jumped on board to help out,” she said.
“Extraordinary. Without their help this wouldn’t have happened.”
Ms Stackman thanked the numerous local businesses and tradespeople who donated equipment, skills and material – from doors to paint – to the project.