Northern Ireland

Sweetie den is perfect fit for south Belfast schoolgirl

Every child would love their own sweet shop, but one south Belfast schoolgirl's dream has become a reality – with a confectionery den that's the perfect fit. Suzanne McGonagle reports

Cara Mailey, with presenters Lauren Layfield and Joe Tracini and designer Maral Tulip (middle). Picture by BBC
Cara Mailey, with presenters Lauren Layfield and Joe Tracini and designer Maral Tulip (middle). Picture by BBC Cara Mailey, with presenters Lauren Layfield and Joe Tracini and designer Maral Tulip (middle). Picture by BBC

FOR nine-year-old Cara Mailey from Carryduff, life in a world geared towards much taller people, is difficult.

Born with achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism, Cara finds it hard to get things appropriate for her height and age.

But her condition has not stopped the energetic, fun-loving little girl enjoying life to the full.

And with a sweet tooth, a love of dancing and a determined attitude, Cara set about fulfilling her "sweetie dreams" by applying to appear on the children's television programme, The Dengineers.

The CBBC makeover show, especially for young people, involves transforming an unused space into a unique den.

"When she first came to me with the application form, which she had printed out herself, I thought she had no chance of getting picked," mum Tricia told The Irish News.

Cara Mailey (9) from Carryduff. Picture by Hugh Russell
Cara Mailey (9) from Carryduff. Picture by Hugh Russell Cara Mailey (9) from Carryduff. Picture by Hugh Russell

"She has a form of dwarfism and she said from the start she wanted a sweetie den as she can't reach the sweets when she goes into shops. It's hard, anywhere you go, door handles, seats, trying to reach things and I think that's where the sweetie idea came from.

"She's going to have to get used to a world where things have to get altered for her, even clothes.

"Like every kid, she loves sweets, but she knows she has to take care of herself as well, especially being a little person – we have to be energetic and we have to do a bit more to keep our bodies right.

"So she posted off the application and had to do an interview via Skype. We then got word she was down to the final 20 from 2,600 applications."

The nine-year-old was selected to appear on the children's television programme, The Dengineers. Picture by Hugh Russell.
The nine-year-old was selected to appear on the children's television programme, The Dengineers. Picture by Hugh Russell. The nine-year-old was selected to appear on the children's television programme, The Dengineers. Picture by Hugh Russell.

In June, as Cara competed in the national Dwarf Games in Birmingham, just minutes after winning bronze in the 60m sprint, she was surprised by The Deningeers presenters Lauren Layfield and Joe Traconi who confirmed her den was their next project.

A pupil at St Joseph's Primary School in Carryduff, she was teamed up with designer Maral Tulip and they set about creating her den.

She told the show her "dream den would be a sweetie den because I love sweets and they're so colourful".

"It's really hard for me because I've got something called achondroplasia so it means that my body is smaller and my legs are smaller," she told the programme.

"It would be amazing for me to have my own den, just fitted for me because I can't really reach up because I'm too small or it's too high for me, like the bathroom, the kitchen, even my own bedroom.

"So I really need a den that's just right for me so that I can reach anything I want."

The nine-year-old was selected to appear on the children's television programme, The Dengineers. Picture by Hugh Russell.
The nine-year-old was selected to appear on the children's television programme, The Dengineers. Picture by Hugh Russell. The nine-year-old was selected to appear on the children's television programme, The Dengineers. Picture by Hugh Russell.

The team descended on the family's Carryduff home with architect Maral's design brief to create a space reflecting Cara's colourful personality and a "place to satisfy the sweetest of appetites".

After four days of construction, a large group of family and friends gathered in the garden for the final reveal.

The completed den has a cola bottle door, windows in the shape of gummy bears and toffees, a roof shaped like strawberry laces, a lolly-pop themed dance floor and sweet-filling stations placed at Cara's height.

When she entered it for the first time, Cara said: "I love it."

Tricia, who has the same condition as her daughter, said the finished product was "unbelievable".

"The den has helped build Cara's confidence up, it's that wee space for her to do things herself and she doesn't need to ask us for help because everything in there is made for her, even the seats, tables, everything she could need.

"Her condition doesn't hold her back, she's very determined, she has a positive mindset.

"I hope that by doing this, Cara is able to educate people about life is like for her and she can raise awareness for the condition."

The Degineers is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.