A WHEELCHAIR-BOUND man says he has been “overwhelmed” by support from the community, after he was left unable to get around his home.

Leslie Bennett, of Lady Mary Court in Bulwark, Chepstow, was left crawling around his home after adaptations were not carried out, despite his requests to Charter Housing more than one month ago.

Senior representatives from the housing association carried out an assessment of his home on Tuesday, with work expected to start in the next two to three weeks.

The 34-year-old says he requires ramps, handrails, a wet room and a stairlift to get around and to be able to leave his home.

After the Argus reported on how Mr Bennett felt “trapped” in his home as he waited for work to start, messages of support flooded in and a kind-hearted builder Terry O’Brien and Monmouthshire Cllr Armand Watts came forward to offer their help.

Mr O’Brien, who runs Terry’s Odd Jobs, has installed a temporary ramp made of decking boards to help Mr Bennett leave his home in his wheelchair.

Temporary ramps were also installed to allow Mr Bennett to access his back garden. Building materials were donated by Travis Perkins and the work was carried out free of charge on Saturday.

“I can’t get over the generosity that has been shown and the messages of support we have had,” said Mr Bennett.

“Terry came on his day off and took up half his day carrying out the work. Both he and Cllr Watts have been unbelievable, I can’t thank them enough.”

Charter Housing has issued an apology to Mr Bennett for the delay in starting works, and Mr Bennett said he has been told that his case is now being dealt with as a priority.

A spokesman for Charter Housing said: “We wrote to Mr Bennett last week to apologise for the delay in starting works and to explain our intention to see works commence at the earliest.

“A visit was carried out on Tuesday by our surveyor with contractors to assess the required works.

“A specification for these works will be tendered this week since we are bound by procurement laws in the award of works, so as to ensure value for public money.

“We will expedite this and anticipate a start of August 7 at the latest.

“We understand a temporary ramp has been installed at the property by a third party but provision of ramps to the required specification remains part of the identified works to be carried out.

“Charter Housing has progressed 35 applications for adaptations to homes since April and we know how vital these works are to improving people’s daily lives. We always aim to see such works completed promptly and to the highest standards.”

Mr O’Brien said he was initially made aware of Mr Bennett’s situation by Cllr Watts in May, but that they were told work by Charter Housing was due to start imminently.

When they learned no work had since been carried out, they stepped in to help.

“I would like to think that if I was in that situation people would help me,” said Mr O’Brien.

Mr Bennett moved to the area from Risca around four years ago, along with his partner John Cox, 33. In February, Mr Bennett suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage which left him with a weakness in his right side and the need to use a wheelchair.

Mr Bennett had his lower leg amputated in March and received chemotherapy to treat bone cancer.