A couple who started with nothing are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary having built two businesses in a city suburb.
Pat and Keith Leonard are well-known around Taverham having worked throughout their lives together to build foundations in the area which would help people.
Keith, now 82, grew up in the village - in a small wooden hut with his mum, dad and brother for 21 years, losing his dad at 15.
Following this he left school and got a job on a farm, which would later help him when he entered the world of business.
Pat, now 80, is originally from Ringland she was the youngest of six children and a real country girl.
Their daughter Alison Watkins, 48, who lives with her parents in Taverham said: “Mum always knew she wanted to do something to help people.”
The pair married when Keith was 21 and Pat was 19, they both worked two jobs so they could have savings, then they had daughter Karen, 54, and six years later had Alison.
Alison said: “My dad created his own landscaping business which he kept until 1985.
“Gathering their own savings they bought an old bungalow with two acres of rough land on the Fakenham Road in Taverham, dad used his landscaping skills to clear and maintain the area.
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“Mum and dad went to many banks in order to find someone who would help them, but they kept getting turned away.
“Until one banker told them that he believed in their vision and lent them the money.
“We lived in an outbuilding while they completely rebuilt the bungalow.”
Two Acres Nursing home opened in 1979 going on to extend the units to residential and sheltered accommodation.
In 1989 Two Acres was sold and the family moved again into an old bungalow only 500m up the road to start the process again.
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Alison said: “Mum's brother had an accident in his window cleaning job when he was just 19 and he ended up dying from the head injury which left her heartbroken.
"Following this she vowed that she would open something that helped to rehabilitate those with head injuries.”
But with nothing to learn from in the country Pat travelled to Hungary on her own to go to the first world congress meeting to learn firsthand.
Keith knocked the new bungalow down with his digger and work began on Oak Farm Rehabilitation Unit.
Doors opened in 1990 and the opening was attended by footballers Robert Rosario and Tim Sherwood.
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Formula One Driver Martin Donnelly was treated in the unit following a racing head injury.
This work, and their parents inspired both Karen and Alison to become nurses.
Alison said: “As a family, to say we are proud of them is an understatement.
“We know how much time, care and dedication they put in to provide quality of life to the elderly patients in Two Acres and the clients in Oak Farm.
“Our children Henry and Harry speak highly of their grandparents. They know how lucky they are to have them live next door and to be part of their life.”
And with both businesses still booming, Keith and Pat were able to enjoy their retirement feeling proud of what they achieved.
Last week, friends and family gathered to celebrate the incredible duo’s 60th wedding anniversary.
Alison said: “Lots of people, including me, want to thank them for what they have done, so it felt really special to bring everyone together to celebrate them and their incredible life.”
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