Three years ago Arran Brogan arrived in the world eight weeks premature with a number of health complications but with a mother determined to still give him the best in life.

Mary was 41 when she gave birth to her son and was already preparing for numerous doctors visits when he was diagnosed with Down's Syndrome. At five months old Arran then had to be taken into hospital for open-heart surgery.

Despite the early setbacks he has continued to grow and last week celebrated his third birthday with many toys and other presents to use outside where he enjoys playing.

"Because he was a preemie (eight weeks early) his immune system isn't very strong", Mary told STV News. "Arran picks up every cough, cold and infection going. It has been antibiotic central since October.

"We've coped with three winters but should get better as he grows. We've been out the front using his birthday gifts thus far and we loved getting out in the sunshine."

Because of her son's love of the outdoors Mary knew she had to take on the dreaded task of making the garden a safe place while continuing to look after Arran on her own.

What she did not realise was how a simple Facebook status would go on to change the numbers in Mary's favour and rally together a community of football fans.

One reply to Mary came from fellow Airdrieonians FC fan Daniel Lambie who gave her assurances in four simple words: "Leave it with me".

The next day Daniel had enlisted the support of the football club itself and the Supporters' Trust as well as his self-employed businessman brother Grant who works on property and landscaping.

Grant said: "Myself and Daniel had spoken in detail about doing a project together, possibly for a charity given the difficulties he faced with his own son's disabilities. So when Daniel mentioned Arran and Mary, I thought it was an instant goer as I'd seen Mary at games and the Airdrie family has always been a part of my life.

"The first port of call was to do a site survey, where I arrived early, so had the great fortune of meeting Arran proper and spending a wee bit of time with him. My heart melted instantly when I saw his huge smile despite his ailments, and I was hooked.

"This became my motivation, and along with the near 500 members on the Facebook page, the determination to make this succeed in a very special way has become almost fanatical."

Daniel added: "From a trust perspective, we're delighted to be supporting this project. It's a perfect example of how everyone associated with a community club can come together to make a real and lasting difference.

"From a personal perspective, as the father of a child who has complex additional needs and has battled many health issues, I have always had a soft spot for Arran and Mary.

"I'm only too happy to help however I can."

Appeals were put out for volunteers to donate materials to build the many elements to the new garden seen in the image designed by Grant above as part of his continued work on the project.

On the weekend of July 8 the team plan to spend four days completely renovating the garden in the condensed period of time and naturally the weight of expectation and realisation begins to hit home just a few short weeks before building Arran's dream.

Grant said: "We still have a fair bit to go in terms of materials, and financial donations to add those extra special elements which will benefit Arran, and ultimately change the way they use the garden and home forever.

"The garden has been designed in such a way that it can be added to, improved and amended as he grows and develops. It can change with his needs, but the foundations will be in place for him and Mary to build a better life for them.

"To get it to that stage though, we need more help. The more that we can raise financially and through materials from local suppliers then the less burden on Mary to add to it in future.

"Obviously, to do all of this work in a planned four day weekend means we need a lot of voluntary help. The backing we've had from Airdrie fans and their friends has been astounding, but we can always accept more.

"From painting a fence, to sweeping a path, to providing refreshments, all help will is welcome, and everyone can be part of that Airdrie family."

At the beginning of the month, after numerous requests about helping with the project on a financial basis rather than in labour, a crowd fund was set up by the Lambies to help fund what else remained to be bought from anything not gathered among the already extensive donations.

It is one of a number of charity initiatives run around the club. For the past three seasons the Supporters' Trust has collected old football strips for KitAid in return for free season tickets to give to under-16s.

Another fan, Mark Allison who suffers from cancer, has raised more than £70,000 in the years since his diagnosis.

As mentioned, Daniel himself has a son with complex additional needs and he spearheaded a campaign to introduce a shelter for wheelchair users in the stadium for during the winter months.

It was named after former Airdrie player Sammy Conn who passed away after a battle with motor neuron disease two years ago.

Daniel said: "We're still about £2000 short of what we need for Arran's Garden including a fence and sensory equipment, but the response so far proves Airdrie and our fans don't deserve the reputation we have."

Mary added: "Guys I've known for years from the football send me messages saying they are coming with materials or gifts. Even my neighbours and my ex-boss from before Arran was born have also been stupendous.

"This is the embodiment of a community club at its very best. Diamond fans with hearts of solid gold. I'm humbled and honoured to be part of this amazing club.

"Since everyone associated with the project has brought whatever is needed and dropped it in a safe place, there's been zero disruption to Arran and I's routine.

"I wanted the perfect space for him. This is like Disney on his doorstep."