A HAMPSHIRE family have been celebrating in the comfort of their home after being helped by kind-hearted workers at a Southampton college.

Maureen Clarke and her son Tony’s new flat was decorated by workers at Richard Taunton Sixth Form College (RTSFC), Southampton.

Tony, 16, who studies at the college, has a rare skeletal disorder called phocomelia which causes birth defects in the limbs.

Despite having no arms he manages to produce work using his mouth to write, paint and draw and his toes to type on a laptop.

Mum Maureen, 64, has been diagnosed with cancer and desperately wanted their home decorated, but would have had to use money from her funeral expenses to pay for the work.

She and Tony had only moved into the flat in Twyford Road in Eastleigh, which they rent from First Wessex, on November 30, and the task of redecorating would have taken Maureen months.

Tony’s keyworker Kahren Quickenden got in touch with the college to see if they could help and they quickly replied.

Premises manager Graeme Kiloh and his team spent 14 hours, much of it in their own time, prepping the walls, painting, putting in carpet and doing general jobs to help get the flat decorated.

Maureen and Tony both spoke of their gratitude to the team and the college.

Tony said: “My mum would not have been able to do it all, we couldn’t afford to pay anyone else to do it and it is really kind of them to do that.

“Now the place looks brighter, nicer and more homely.”

Maureen said: “They are such a nice group of lads and so kind, friendly, polite and respectful and nothing has ever been too much for them.

"It has really made Tony’s New Year, he has made friends with the team and what they have done is the best present we could have hoped for.”

A spokesperson for the college said: “At RTSFC we are known for our caring community and this is an extension of that.

“When we heard about Tony’s story we wanted to help him and his mum.

“We have used the skills of our premises team to keep costs down for Tony and his mum."