Grimsby teen Poppy builds 'pig palace' at Nunny's Farm after skydiving to raise funds

A Grimsby teenager has fulfilled her promise of building a "Pig Palace" at Nunny's Farm and its new inhabitants are squealing with joy.

Poppy Taff, 16, started attending Nunny's Farm as part of her education following a late diagnosis with autism. Claire Lidguard, Poppy's mum, said life had been difficult for her daughter but being outdoors and helping the animals at the farm had made an enormous difference.

Last year, Poppy pledged to build a pig sty, dubbed the Pig Palace, for five of the Nunny's Farm pigs - Penelope, Petunia, Sidney, Stanley, and Brick. On Friday, May 17, the pigs moved into their new home and seemed very impressed.

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Photographs by Grimsby Live photographer Donna Clifford showed the pigs happily rooting around in their new paddock, which Poppy's uncle Simon has helped design by measuring and drawing up the plans. The pigs were seen wagging their tails and their new covered home was definitely more of a palace than a pigsty.

Farmer Neil Campbell, who runs the farm in Wootton Road, Grimsby, said Poppy is a "fantastic young lady" and Nunny's Farm is "overwhelmed" by the support from the community. "So many people have been involved in this small project but it means a lot and it's going to mean a lot to the animals and to the farm itself," he said.

Poppy raised more than £1,400 for the building of the Pig Palace with a charity skydive the day after her 16th birthday in August. Her mum admitted she was "anxious just thinking about it" but Poppy had always been a thrill-seeker and was fearless.

MKM Building Supplies donated breeze blocks, sand and cement and Birchin Way's Wickes offered £150 worth of building materials which were used to make the roof. Glen Chester of GRC Building Contractors also donated eight cubes of concrete.

Previously, her mum told Grimsby Live: "Poppy was given an autism diagnosis two years ago and we found that she struggles with normal routines. She had a tough few months with her mental health and wasn't being herself.

"Since being at the farm, I have noticed a massive change in Poppy. She is more confident, both at the farm and at home, and it is one of the only places where I can leave her and know she is safe and happy."