Rory's woodland kids village proves a hit

Rory Kibler, who is just four-year-old, wanted to build the den in the woods near his home in Allerton Bywater and with a little help from his parents.

And the tiny retreat has become so popular for other youngsters, many have visited and left messages and sweets for Rory.

Some have helped build an extension to the den, while others have even built their own on the site, which is off the public footpath that begins on Park Lane, near the village’s Tesco store.

Some have even nicknamed it ‘Covid Court’, in reference to the virus.

Rory’s mother, Sarah Kibler says they have been overwhelmed by the response.

She said: “In between working from home and doing things with Rory we decided to build a den and it’s just escalated from there. We spent days going up there and adding bits on to it.

Now there’s about 13 other dens, it’s really good and it’s starting to look like a little village.

“People started pictures of it on Facebook and leaving little notes, it’s been great fun and is very cute.

“Rory has made some friends from it and we’ve been writing back and forth.

“Rory has been loving it, he gets really excited when people are leaving the letters.

“Even grown ups have been leaving thank you cards.

“He loved building the den, he drew a picture of how he wanted it to look - he was definitely the site manager on this!”

Rory, who attended ABC nursery in Allerton Bywater and is expected to begin school in September, has even set up a Just Giving page to raise money for the NHS.

Raising over £600 so far, you can donate here.