A DESPERATE family are pleading for some community spirit in the hope of transforming their building site home into the wheelchair-friendly property they had envisaged.

The Thorpe family of Greenbank Gardens, Little Urswick, were delighted when they secured a £30,000 disability grant from the council, which would allow them to make vital adaptations to their home.

Daughter Bethanie, 10, suffers from a rare degenerative condition called Friedreich’s Ataxia which affects the nervous system, mobility and co-ordination.

Youngest child Samuel has also been diagnosed.

However, schoolgirl Bethanie’s hopes of having her new purpose-built bedroom ready for her 10th birthday were shattered when, say the family, the trusted builder refused to finish the job.

Mum-of-three Catherine Thorpe said: “With two disabled children, life is stressful enough.

“We are watching our 10-year-old daughter lose mobility day by day.

“The fact it was for her birthday and she wanted her new room for a sleepover, and didn’t get it – she was really upset.”

The house belonged to Mrs Thorpe’s mother, who used to keep the garden immaculate – now the grass is thick with cement and covered in building materials, making it a hazard for the children.

“We actually want the builder to come and finish the work as the uneven surface is very awkward for the wheelchair.

“It’s a real state,” said Mrs Thorpe.

The family have applied to TV shows like DIY SOS in the hope their nightmare can soon be over.

They say the builder came highly recommended and was also approved by the council.

But not long after work started, the family claim the relationship began to turn sour with constant disputes and arguments ensuing over invoices and materials.

So far, shopkeepers Jamie and Catherine Thorpe have spent £33,000 but called in private contractors to value the work who claimed only £10,000 worth had been done.

The family had planned to use £10,000 of their savings and £30,000 from the Disability Facility grant to add a £40,000 extension to their home.

A chunk of funding is still being held by the council, but is not enough to finish the job. Mrs Thorpe, who is originally from Kent, said: “We can’t afford to pay any more money from our own pocket and the council would prefer not to pay a different builder, so we’re struggling.

“It’s been a very stressful year.”

Cumbria County Council would not comment on individual cases but a spokesman called the situation “unusual”, adding: “We would always try to negotiate, but in a circumstance like this, I think it has gone too far.”

The builder was contacted for comment but declined to speak.

Both parties are seeking legal advice on the matter.