Iona-May’s home transformation a ‘dream come true’

The family of Iona-May Thorne have been ‘overwhelmed’ and ‘touched’ by the generosity of people up and down the Gazette area who, for the past few years, have helped them raise a whopping £70,000 to radically improve their home for young Iona-May, seven.

Now, the transformation is set to feature on property show Double Your House for Half the Money, presented by Sarah Beeny – who last week recorded the final scenes showing off the new look.

A ground-floor bedroom, wet room and sensory room have been installed, as well as a system of hoists to help Iona-May reach parts of her home more easily.

Andrea Thorne, Iona-May’s grandmother, said: “It’s absolutely awesome, it’s beyond our wildest dreams.

“Iona-May has got this wonderful sensory room. It’s like a dream, it really is. We never envisaged having a sensory room as awesome as this is.

“It’s very humbling to have people putting so much effort and time into helping our little girl.

“It has really, really been amazing. Iona-May has got the most wonderful bedroom. It’s really light, it’s airy and she is drawn to the light, being sort of blind and she just loves being in there.

“It’s a real calming room and big and spacious.”

Countless DIY companies from across the area helped with the construction, providing materials and services at a dramatically reduced cost.

Sarah Beeny had been advising the family every step of the way throughout the rebuilding, which included other improvements that were made to the kitchen, living room, garden and driveway.

Andrea added: “It’s absolutely life-changing, I don’t think there is any other word. It’s going to be really great for Henry and Iona-May to be able to play together in this room.

The Thornes’ story is set to air on Tuesday (September 17), at 8pm.

For the full story, see this week’s Gazette (Thursday, September 12).