BAND OF BUILDERS BRINGING A SMILE TO PIPPA
THESE pictures show the progress so far by a real-life DIY SOS team who are extending the home of a toddler with a rare skin disease – and doing the £8,000 job for nothing.
Pippa Atkinson’s mum said it was “heartwarming” so many people wanted to help her family after people came forward to feed and house the kind-hearted builders working on the project.
Toddler Pippa, who is 22 months old, was born with incurable epidermolysis bullosa.
The condition makes her skin so sensitive to blistering her mum can never cuddle her.
Sufferers are known as “butterfly children” because of the fragility of their skin.
Pippa’s condition is said to be among the 10 most painful in the world.
To cope she takes morphine, paracetamol and, on bad days, sedatives.
Mum Rhiannon said her daughter was well at the moment and was enjoying being the centre of attention during the work on the family home.
Rhiannon, from Ponthir, near Cwmbran, said: “Pippa is doing good and she is loving all the attention she is getting at the moment.
“She has an infection which came through on Thursday morning but she is OK.
“She is still at home and she is just in awe of it all.
“People keep playing peekaboo with her and she just laughs.
“People have been just incredible.”
The family had planned to make their home bigger to make life easier for Pippa, who was missing 90% of the skin on her hands and feet when she was born.
They wanted to build a singlestorey extension at the back of the property and a two-floor extension at the side.
But a charitable organisation named Band of Builders came forward and offered to do it for free – saving the family about £8,000.
Founded by Addam Smith, the first Band of Builders project was launched in January 2016 to help his friend Keith Ellick after he was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
After knowing each other for a decade landscaper Addam wanted to help his friend and posted a video on Facebook to try to raise money for his funeral which he couldn’t afford.
But the post went viral with former Grenadier Guard Addam receiving hundreds of messages and ideas to help, including setting up a fundraising site which has so far raised more than £70,000.
In the process the Band of Builders was born.
But they also want to help others like Keith by asking tradespeople and local companies to donate time and materials to help people in their hour of need.
Since agreeing to take on Pippa’s project a lot of work has been done at the family home.
Addam said: “We have spent days putting the roof up and we are happy it’s coming together.
“Phase two will involve fitting a specialised bath and bathroom for Pippa and we will come back in about a month’s time to do that. “It is all going well so far. “People have been turning up from far and wide to help.
“We have had two men from the north east who have travelled six hours to be here.
“People have been time up for free.
“There have also been a lot of Welsh people who have come to help – seeing local people come together is really great to see.”
Rhiannon, 31, said people have really rallied around to support them and some people have helped to feed the builders.
The Stuffed Dormouse pub has been giving tradesmen free accommodation and Dutchy’s Jerk Shack, in Newport, has provided free evening meals for them.
Papa John’s sent them free pizza for lunch and complete strangers have even stopped by with plates of cakes.
“The community spirit has been truly amazing,” added Rhiannon.
“It’s just incredible to see 12 people who have never met each other before get something done for the greater good.
“People have been here for Pippa and it’s been very emotional.
“It’s heartwarming to know we are giving their surrounded by so many good people.
“We just want to thank the Band of Builders and the people in the community for allowing them to be here.
“We are all so grateful.”
To help Pippa visit facebook. com/pleasehelppippa/
If any companies or tradespeople want to get involved with the project email info@ bandofbuilders.com