Big Build Ireland puts out DIY SOS to help family in Coolaney
RTÉ DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland is coming to Sligo next month to take on a new project – and they need your help.
Presenter Baz Ashmawy and his team will be here from October 25 to November 2 and they are seeking the help of tradespeople from around the county to lend a hand in renovating and adapting the Coolaney home of Claire Carpenter, Ross Mannion and their three children.
Claire suffered a sudden stroke in early February of this year after a bad headache turned out to be related to a blood clot in her brain.
It occurred just months before she was due to marry Ross.
The community has already shown a great determination to rally behind the family in the last few months through a very successful GoFundMe fundraiser and a Connacht Rugby charity cycle.
In a statement released by the show runners last week, they said that the team has been tasked with adapting the house to make it more accessible for Claire’s reduced mobility. They also revealed that is the first time the programme is taking on a project in Connacht.
“This is our first ever build in Connacht and what better way to start than with the family of the head coach of the Connacht senior women’s rugby team. So come on Sligo, let’s stand shoulder to shoulder and show the country what Connacht is made of !”
The statement went on to call on a variety of different tradespeople whose skills are required to carry out the work.
This includes groundworkers, ticketed machine drivers, carpenters, general labourers, plumbers, electricians, slabbers, blocklayers, painters, plasterers, joiners, pavers, landscapers, fencers, tilers, photography, audiovisual companies, catering, cleaning and registration volunteers.
They also called on local companies to assist with the supply of goods and materials for external works such as grab hire, skips, waste management, lawn turf and other landscaping products, while for catering they are seeking the assistance of catering companies and/or local restaurants.
For interior work, the team will require joinery companies, glazing, furniture, wallpaper, extensive homewares, photography and frames, bedding, mirrors, mattress supplier curtains and blinds. Support is also needed in the form of traffic management, site security, van drivers, transport companies, marquees, accomodation and printers. Anyone interested in getting involved is asked to email diysossligo@gmail. com or call 083 013 9827 with your name, number, email and details on your trade and what you can supply.
Baz Ashmawy, host of DIY SOS: Big Build Ireland.