A DAD-of-five diagnosed with terminal cancer has been left speechless by the generosity of strangers after local businesses stepped in to help give his family a dream garden.

Johnnie Meechan has received huge public support since he went public with his diagnosis, in the hope he could create a lasting legacy for his children.

READ MORE: Johnnie's Journey wins huge support

Johnnie, 39, from Tranent, was devastated when he was told the cancer, which he has battled since he was a teenager, had returned earlier this year and was incurable.

Vowing to make the most of his time, he launched a video blog on social media charting his treatment and experiences to help raise awareness of cancer and particularly neuroendocrine tumours or NET cancer, which affects him and can often go undetected.

And he wants to ensure he spends as much time as possible with his wife Evelyn and their children Jamie, 17, Ellie, 15, Josh, 14, Sam, 8 and two-year-old Maia.

However the family garden, on Coalgate Avenue, was full of potholes and uneven and Johnnie, who has a prosthetic leg, was unable to use it.

Johnnie said: “When I was terminally diagnosed, my wife spoke to our next-door neighbours Lillian and John Sheilds and explained what was going on.

“They spoke to local man Davie Martin, who has a reputation for selflessly helping those local to Tranent and further afield.

“They knew that I was unable to go into my own garden as it was so uneven, full of potholes and, although it was well kept by my wife, it was just impossible for me to get out on either wearing my prosthetic leg or in the wheelchair.

“Davie then put out an SOS to those local to the area asking for help to level the garden so that I could get out and enjoy some fresh air and, more importantly, play with the kids. He was inundated with offers from various sources, which in itself was fantastic.”

Businessman Matthew Wright, who owns M-Pact Building Services, stepped in and took over the project and costs, and Mr Martin contacted Johnnie and his family with news of the surprise makeover.

Astonishingly, it was only when the family met Mr Martin that Johnnie discovered an old family connection. He revealed: “It turned out he was a good friend of my late father, who we lost two years ago to lung cancer.”

Other local firms came onboard, with Pat McCluskey of Hireline supplying the diggers and heavy machinery, Kevin Dalgetty and Davie Gallagher of Midlothian Skips getting involved, and Paddy Frazer from Alba Trees providing all the plants, including little Christmas trees for the children.

Johnnie said: “It was surreal to watch it transform. M-Pact paid for all the materials, labour, an artificial lawn made from the latest astroturf, “It must have costs thousands. It’s a huge garden and was a huge job. It never phased them one bit, the exact words Matthew used were: ‘I heard your story, If I can’t help you then I can’t help anyone’.”

Now, Johnnie is looking forward to spending time in the garden with his children, and knows whatever lies ahead, the garden and the memories they create will always be there for his family.

He said: “They have given me the freedom to enjoy the garden with the kids. I don’t know how long I have left but I know that in that time I can now get out into the fresh air. It looks fantastic to say the least and will also need far less maintenance, which will help us as I continue my fight with terminal cancer.

“These folk are local heroes and have a place in my family’s heart forever. We will always be indebted to them all.”

Follow the family’s story on Facebook at Johnnie’s Journey. A crowdfunding page to support the family is at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/themeechanfamily