The construction charity has completed its 50th project on its 10th anniversary - after it renovated the home of an amputee Ipswich builder who was unable to finish the extension he started two years ago because he underwent treatment for cancer of the spine.
More than 30 volunteer tradespeople from Band of Builders (BoB) came together to turn a building site back into a family home for Jay (James) House and his family of four children in 14 days. The volunteers came from as far afield as Durham and gave their time for free to help a fellow tradesperson.
The charity supports tradespeople, construction workers and their families through crisis by providing practical help, emotional support and financial assistance when illness, injury or life-changing circumstances make everyday living unsafe or unmanageable.
House had built the exterior shell of the two-storey extension himself, but the work came to a halt in August 2024 when he was diagnosed with cancer of the spine. The house had been left a building site, and the ground-floor work meant the family had been left without a functioning kitchen. For the last 18 months, they have managed with a makeshift kitchen unit on wheels with an air fryer, portable hob, washing machine and dishwasher – but no sink.
In partnership with Howdens, the renovation included installing a new kitchen after the old one was ripped out. Howdens supplied a new Frome kitchen in Ash Green complete with Lamona appliances, worktops and storage solutions. For the rest of the home, Howdens supplied Oak and Grey rigid vinyl flooring, doors, skirting and architraves.
There were emotional scenes when House and his family returned to see their completed home for the first time. He said: “it’s amazing, that they’ve done so much in such a small space of time. If I was still able to do it, it would have taken me months and months, tacking one room at a time.
“We can’t thank Band of Builders enough because it’s lifted a dark cloud that has been hanging over our family – and now we have a family home that will be a joy to come downstairs to every morning.”
BoB is best known for delivering rapid, high-impact home adaptation and renovation projects, mobilising the construction industry to support its own. The organisation, which secured charitable status in 2019, started a single act of kindness in May 2016.
The founder posted on social media asking for help to renovate the home of his close friend and colleague Keith Ellick, who had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. The overwhelming response from across the construction industry saw the project completed in days. It demonstrated the power of construction workers coming together to support one of their own.
Speaking about reaching the landmark number of projects 10 years virtually to the day of its very first one, the charity’s CEO, Gavin Crane, paid tribute to every person who has supported BoB from the first project to the 50th. He said: “As Band of Builders completes its 50th project for Jay and his family, we stand not just in front of another finished home but behind fifty stories of hope rebuilt, dignity restored and lives changed for the better.
"Every nail driven, every wall raised and every hour given represents the unstoppable spirit of our industry coming together when it matters most. This milestone isn’t about numbers – it’s about people, compassion and community. We are proof that when tradespeople unite, we don’t just build houses: we rebuild lives.”
Crane also stressed the partnerships that the charity has formed to allow it to mobilise materials, funding, expertise and volunteers to deliver life-changing impact on the ground. He pointed out that this project was delivered in partnership with Howdens, which donated a kitchen that was installed by award-winning kitchen fitter Tom Easter.
Director of design at Howdens, Adrian Heaton, said: “Jay is an inspiration, building his business while facing injury and lots of challenges. It was an honour to partner with Band of Builders again, along with our Hadleigh Road depot in Norwich, to donate the Howdens kitchen to Jay and his family and to help make a difference.”
BoB also wishes to thank its supporters and sponsors who provided materials – as well as local businesses that delivered food and refreshments. This includes: Reconomy Trade, Edmonson Electrical, Wolseley Plumb Centre, Jewson (materials and tool hire), CT1, Travis Perkins, Timco, SIG Roofing, City Plumbing and Brewers.
