Child sitting on a stone wall next to a large sign advertising Ruben's Backyard Makeover. The sign includes images of children and various company logos.

Ruben’s Gift

“Creating a space where independence grows”

In August 2025, we coordinated something special. A complete backyard transformation for young Ruben Ashlin and his family. Ruben was recently diagnosed with HSP (Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia), a neurological condition affecting his lower limbs. His backyard had a playground, but Ruben couldn't reach it on his own. For a kid who just wanted to play outside, that's tough.

The Ashlin family wanted to make the space accessible, but with ongoing medical expenses and trips to Melbourne for treatment, a major renovation just wasn't possible. So we reached out to the Hobart community—and they showed up.

The project

Working with local contractors and suppliers, we transformed an unusable sloped yard into a flat, accessible space where Ruben could move around freely. Earthworks, materials, labour, equipment—businesses across Hobart donated time, expertise, and resources to make it happen.

Seeing Ruben move around that yard independently for the first time—that's what it's about. His parents say they can't keep him inside now.

Thank you!

This project was only possible because of the generosity of close friends, family, local businesses, and complete strangers who heard about Ruben and wanted to help.

A massive thanks to:

And to those who donated materials and services:

Projects like this remind us why we do what we do.

View of a backyard with a black metal fence, green grass, and a playset with slide and climbing structure under a partly cloudy sky.
A construction worker in a yellow safety vest and gray pants crouches near a trench in a backyard, working on the foundation or plumbing. The backyard is under renovation, with piles of dirt, gravel, and construction tools visible. In the background,
Construction site with a yellow Komatsu excavator lifting a large chunk of dirt, dirt excavation in progress, machinery, and a partly cloudy sky.
A yellow Komatsu excavator digging a trench in a backyard with grass and a wooden fence, with a dump truck nearby.
Construction site with a yellow hybrid excavator lifting concrete blocks onto a flatbed truck near a building with a brick wall. The sky is partly cloudy.
Construction site with a yellow excavator and concrete blocks, fenced backyard, and clear sky.
Construction site with a mini excavator moving dirt, an area prepared with a dirt surface, and a concrete retaining wall in the background, with cloudy skies overhead.
Backyard with a concrete patio, dirt area, and a retaining wall made of concrete blocks. Yard is enclosed with fencing and neighboring houses are visible in the background under cloudy sky.
A large white truck with a long boom arm working on a building's roof. The truck is parked on the street, and a sign for Putzmeister Concrete Pumping is visible. The building has solar panels on the roof, and there is a sign that reads 'Ruben's Cift
A man kneeling on a paved ground with two young children, one boy with a walker and one girl, outdoors with a wooden fence and concrete blocks behind them.
Front page of the Sunday Tasmanian newspaper featuring a large photo of a young boy in a wheelchair, Ruben Ashlin, smiling with an adult. Other images include a female athlete, a man and children in outdoor gear, a dog, and a woman doing yoga.