Family comes home to dream kitchen thanks to Modern Homes and Courier competition

The family won the £10,000 high-tech kitchen in a Modern Homes and Courier/Weekly News competition.

They were nominated by Jordan’s nan, June Rees, of Chichester Lane, Hampton Magna, who said in her nomination letter that although his parents David and Alison work long hours, they always found time to cook with Jordan.

Jordan, aged 10, suffers from a rare brain disorder which means he has learning difficulties and less than 10 per cent peripheral vision.

The youngster attends the Ridgeway School in Warwick and despite his difficulties likes to cook and help his parents in the kitchen.

Alison, of Willerwist Drive, Whitnash, said: “On our last week he couldn’t stop talking about the kitchen – he was so excited.

“We came back from holidays and he ran straight into the arms of Tina (the owner of Modern Homes). He was so chuffed – bless him.

“The kitchen is fantastic and we are so grateful. We still can’t believe it and we’re so appreciative of what everyone has done.”

The kitchen was provided by family-run firm Modern Homes, of Longfield Road, on the Sydenham Industrial Estate.

The kitchen, bathroom and bedroom specialist wanted to celebrate 45 years in business by giving something back to the community.

The work lasted more than seven days and Tina Riley, boss at Modern Homes, said it was a last-minute dash to get it finished before the family returned from their holidays.

She said: “We finished about five minutes before they came back through the door.

“I was frantically cleaning up – there’s nothing like the skin of your teeth – and the paint has just literally dried.”

But the hard work was worth it to see the look on the family’s face, said Tina, who designed the kitchen: “I don’t know who was crying the most when they came through the door.

“Jordan was thrilled. He kept opening up all the doors to see what was behind.”

It was David and Alison’s 16th wedding anniversary on their return and they had left a bottle of Champagne in the old fridge to celebrate.

Tina added: “We shared a glass of Champagne with them, which was very nice.

“They are just such a lovely family. It could not have happened to a nicer family and they are so grateful.”

The contemporary-style high-gloss kitchen includes a double oven with a gas hob and hood, fridge-freezer, dishwasher and washing machine, courtesy of Hotpoint.

While Swinson’s Masonry, of Althorpe Street, Leamington, donated granite work-tops.

Trend Interiors of Birmingham supplied the kitchen for free and Tina paid all the labour charges for fitters, electricians, plasterers, and gas fitters and for any items that her suppliers could not come up with.

Work on the kitchen also included a combi boiler, flooring, fuseboard rewiring and replastering.