A RETIRED policeman was inspired to set up an allotment to help sufferers of Huntington’s Disease after his younger brother died from the illness.

David McDonagh, 63, took over as branch chairman of the Southend Huntington’s Disease Association six years ago, just months after his brother, Stephen McDonagh, then 49, passed away.

He said: “Stephen had this little plot of land in my garden and would just go out there every day and plant flowers. That is the picture of him I have in my mind.”

The incurable genetic disorder causes brain cells to waste away, so patients are often treated for mental health problems before being diagnosed with Huntington’s disease. Stephen spent nine years in the Runwood care home, in the grounds of Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow.

David said: “We didn’t know what was wrong with him. I was responsible for sending him into hospital, so that is probably why I feel like I do.

“It was not a nice place to be. If we had known, he could have spent his last few years with us instead.”

Over the past two years, members of the Southend Huntington’s Disease Association have transformed two overgrown allotment plots, in Sherbourne Gardens, off Manners Way, Southend.

The team put in a path for wheelchair access, installed a disabled toilet, built a summer house and planted numerous flowers, fruit and vegetables, in raised beds created from old planks of wood off Southend Pier, which were donated by Southend Council.

Landscape and allotment officer Jon Limbert said: “They are prepared to help themselves, which is so good. They have some lovely volunteers and I was happy to help. We are really delighted for them – it is such a good cause.”

David added: “It has been wonderful. We have got much more out of it than we could ever have hoped for. People were just wasting away, but this gives them something to look forward to each week.”

Now the transformation work is complete, the team visit every week to harvest what produce is ready. They cook homemade food in the summer house’s oven, so sufferers of the disease get a good meal.

For more information, go to www.hda-southend.org.uk