Our local heroes who helped TV’s DIY SOS project
IN last week’s episode of DIY SOS: The Big Build, one thing stood out more than most - the large number of local businesses helping them out. More than 300 trades workers and businesses helped out on the project, with 144 different people working on the house at one time, earning special praise from presenter Nick Knowles. Some businesses worked directly on the house, while others got involved as wholesalers, donating thousands of pounds worth of goods to the show to use in the build.
It was all worth it, however, as they provided the Blanchard family with the perfect family home, and removed the sad memories of loss from the garage and the now-demolished conservatory. Following the episode, some businesses in Northern Lincolnshire have shared their experiences, and how they feel about the Blanchard family’s new home. One business was Lincs Electrical Wholesalers in Grimsby, who donated thousands of pounds worth of materials, from wires and light fittings to radiators. Branch manager, Paul Courley, said: “We were first introduced to the DIY SOS project by Danny Williams, one of the contractors who worked on the show who is also one of our customers.
“He asked us if we would like to help, and after hearing what Caroline and her family have been through, we said we’d love to get involved.
“We went out the day before filming began to look at what was needed and the electricians gave us a list of things they needed. It was nice to be able to help out and provide them with whatever we could. It was fantastic seeing everyone get stuck in and make a big difference to the family. It was very good to take part and get involved. We provided electrical goods, so everything from cables, to sockets, to lighting and heating. It ended up coming to several thousand pounds worth of supplies we donated. But what they did with it all was incredible, it really looked good. I was very impressed!
“I met Billy the electrician and had a photo with the full team, too, as well as speaking to Caroline at the end. It was really moving to help the family and give them a house they could use fully. “We always like to help out charities at LEW, so when offered the chance to take part in a big project like this to make a difference, we were more than happy to get involved.” Another business was Grimsbybased Pattison Mechanical, who sorted a boiler and fitted it for DIY SOS. Alaistair Pattison, managing director of the business, said “We got involved after seeing it advertised on Facebook. I spoke with a boiler supplier and got them to donate one, and then went to the home and installed it for them. “It was a great experience, it was chaos the first couple of days with everyone on the site, but I made great friends and had a great time.
“It was a fight to get to where you needed to go because of how busy it was, but it showed how many people wanted to get involved and help out. “I saw the house when it was finished and I have been back since to service it for the family.
“It was a fantastic job, it looked brilliant at the end. Everyone worked really hard to get it done and it should be something the local area can be really proud of, coming together and helping change a family’s life.
“The DIY SOS team were all great, they all took the time out to come over and speak with all of the traders and had great banter with us. They were all great to work with.
“Only once I watched the story on TV was when it fully hit home and I saw what the family had been through. It just makes me really glad that I could get involved and help them out. “Everyone should be proud of themselves for giving up the materials, time, and work to give something back.” Pete Croft, a painter decorator from Grimsby, was involved in the project from the very start, and had a great experience working on the show. He said: “It was fantastic from start to finish. Meeting everyone, doing the house up for Caroline, it was really rewarding to do.
“I saw it advertised on Facebook and went from there with it.
“I’ve always worked for myself, for 36 years, and people have always told me to do something like this, so when I saw the opportunity I took it.
“I didn’t know the story at first, but as soon as I heard it I was more than happy to do it and help the family out.”