Charity gets 'record-breaking' support to help boy
A charity that supports construction workers and their families is about to embark on its next project to help a disabled boy, with a record amount of tradespeople offering to help.
Band of Builders, based in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, will be helping Norfolk teenager Toby, 15, who has quadriplegic cerebral palsy and dystonia.
Renovation work to make Toby's home more suitable for his needs were started by his father, but he died on Christmas Eve. Dozens of trades have since put their names forward to help finish the work.
Charity operations director Tony Steel praised the support being offered. "The more people we've got, the more we can guarantee to get this over the line," he said.
The charity was started by Addam Smith in 2016 after one of his workers was diagnosed with an incurable cancer.
Since then it has helped many people with practical assistance such as providing home adaptations, financial grants and wellbeing support.
In its latest endeavour, the charity called for tradespeople to help with "Toby's project" in Foulden, near Swaffham.
It said the boy's father, Shaun Fletcher - an electrician - was doing renovations on his home that included building a wet room, so the 15-year-old did not have to be carried up and down the stairs.
Mr Steel added: "Unfortunately things became a little bit too much for him and he took his own life on Christmas Eve." He said the group's intention was to complete the work that was started.
If you have been affected by the issues in this story, help and support is available via BBC Action Line.
The charity regularly uses social media to call for tradespeople to help with its builds, but the response to Toby's Project had been "absolutely incredible" and "record-breaking" with about 150 applicants, Mr Steel said.
"The people in Norfolk have just been absolutely stunning, really, and within two days we had something like 130 volunteers apply to come and give us a hand to make this project work.
"Without them we wouldn't be able to do these sorts of things."
Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Builders finish extension for man who had aneurysm
Over 70 builders come together for double amputee
Man keen for 'dignity and privacy' in new bedroom
Band of Builders
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Yahoo
Tolkien inspires naming of four peregrine falcons
Down the riders came, tearing down from the mountains of Mordor, through Rohan to the Shire - and there they found Frodo, Merry, Pippin and Sam. OK, it might not have gone exactly like that but those are the four names which have been chosen for the peregrine falcon chicks hatched this year at Leamington Town Hall. Warwickshire Wildlife Trust invited people to share their ideas for the three females and one male before putting them to a final vote (Sauron was barred from voting). More than 900 took part in the poll and the Lord of the Rings-themed names emerged victorious, named after JRR Tolkien's hobbits. Other suggestions included the sky and stars as well as names with connections to Leamington - but ultimately, the trust said, the Middle-Earth theme was a "clear favourite". A spokesperson added that the names were submitted by Natasha and Charmain and Charmain added: "The Lord of the Rings is a British classic and these four little ones will soon wander." A live video feed continues to monitor the peregrines' progress after the chicks hatched at the end of April, at the Grade II listed town hall. Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Four peregrine falcon chicks hatch at town hall Peregrine falcon seen with first egg of 2025 Warwickshire Wildlife Trust
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Residents 'angry' as large tree gets protection
Residents have said they feel "extremely angry" after a council voted unanimously to protect a controversial oak tree. Winchester City Council received an intention to fell the more than 40-year-old tree from neighbours who raised concerns that it could damage their properties. Speaking at a council planning meeting, the local authority's tree officer John Bartlett said there was "no evidence of actual damage being caused". The council approved a Tree Preservation Order (TPO), which legally protects it from damage or destruction. Mr Bartlett said it contributed meaningfully to local biodiversity and visual amenity, adding that its ecological and landscape value outweighed the reported nuisance issues. The oak, which is situated in a conservation area, is located in the garden of a home on Canon Street, close to Winchester Cathedral. Dr Sandra Steel lives in a home on the adjacent St Swithun Street and spoke for residents at the planning meeting. "The spreading roots cause structural damage," she said. Adding that "our historic houses are particularly vulnerable". Some of the properties on the road date back to the 17th Century and Ms Steel said there was evidence of "cracks in garden walls". She added that it was increasing the insurance of the local houses. Despite these claims the council approved the protection order and said further evidence would need to be provided to consider the felling of the tree. On hearing that verdict, Ms Steel said: "You are waiting for our houses to fall down I guess." Speaking after the meeting she said they all "feel extremely angry" and called it "quite ridiculous". "An oak tree belongs an open area or a forest, not in gardens of historic houses," Ms Steel added. At least nine residents raised concerns about the tree's proximity and size after they said it had grown by 6ft (1.8m) in the last year. They said that the height and mass of the tree combined with unpredictable weather patterns could lead to serious damage to properties or injury of residents. They argued that any sustainable management plan would require pruning on a five-year cycle, which is seen as an unfair and impractical burden on residents. The objectors added that the tree, which they claim blocks light and sheds a substantial amount of leaves and debris. Council said it is willing to accept further reductions to previous cut points on a 5–10 year cycle to improve light penetration to surrounding properties. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Pair guilty of cutting down Sycamore Gap tree Plymouth tree felling fiasco cost more than £3.3m Anger after dozens of trees felled along railway line Winchester City Council
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Yahoo
Cold War fighter jet fired up after 18 years
A Cold War fighter jet, which spent the majority of its service at RAF Binbrook, has been fired up for the first time in 18 years. Lightning XR724, was designed to intercept Soviet bombers and first flew on 10 February 1965. The aircraft, which was retired in 1991, has been undergoing a five-year restoration project at the site near Market Rasen. Chief engineer Chris Johnson, who was in the cockpit when the 60-year-old plane was started, said: "Getting this old lady running again after so long being idle is going to feel great." Mr Johnson said his team is hoping to fix the aircraft's top engine by the end of 2026. The next public run of the engine is due to be carried out an open day on 6 September. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Fighter jet on display after 'exciting' restoration Cold War jet's future safe after hangar success The Lightning Association
