Dream comes true
Alleged assault
A grateful Wishaw mum says her home is “like a new house” after kind-hearted builders from all over the UK came to her rescue to repair a botched extension job.
After reading in the Wishaw Press that a collapsed building firm had taken £28,000 of Catherine’s life savings and left her with an uninhabitable extension, New College Lanarkshire construction lecturer Frank Farrar rallied fellow members of Band of Builders – a group of tradesmen who share one simple desire: to use their skills to help others who are going through a hard time.
The 16-strong team worked solidly for three days with materials donated by local firms to turn the extension at the Tinto Crescent house into the accessible living space Catherine had dreamed of for her disabled son, James, 29.
Businesses and organisations stepped in to arrange a weekend in a luxury serviced apartment for Catherine and James while tradesmen got to work on their house.
And the Celtic charitable foundation even donated a pair of tickets to the recent Cup Final so that James and his aunt could watch the match.
Catherine and James, who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy, couldn’t believe their eyes when they returned to their new-look home.
“We were both totally overwhelmed by how much work had been done in such a short space of time,” said a delighted Catherine, who thanked Band of Builders from the bottom of her heart.
“It is like a new house. James had to sit down after a few minutes as he was a bit overcome, and I actually struggled not to cry but they were filming it for their page and I didn’t want to cry on camera. It is much more than we could have ever hoped for. The wetroom is now totally disabled adapted. It will make such a difference to James’ life.
“The last year of stress has finally came to an end, thanks to everyone’s kindness.”
As well as expressing her gratutude to Band of Builders for their efforts, Catherine said a special thank you to Wishaw selfemployed plasterer Frank Duffy and Callum Brown of Wishaw firm MJC Roofing and Roughcasting, who donated time and materials.
She added: “I want to say a personal thanks to the Wishaw Press. If you hadn’t taken up the story it would never have been done, so James and myself owe it all to you. Thank you so much.” A 21- year- old man of no fixed abode was arrested and reported to the procurator fiscal for alleged breach of the peace, assault, assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest.
The alleged incident happened at 7.30pm on Saturday, May 26, at George Street, New Stevenston, Motherwell. He was detained in custody pending his court appearnace.
A 41-year-old Motherwell man was arrested and will be reported to the procurator fiscal for alleged breach of the peace and assault. The alleged incident happened between 12.30am and 12.45am on Sunday, May 27, at Arran Road, Motherwell.
A 19-year-old Wishaw man was arrested and will be reported to the procurator fiscal for allegedly driving without valid insurance.
The alleged incident happened at 10.30pm on Tuesday, May 22, at Merry Street, Motherwell.
A 37- year- old Airdrie man was arrested and reported to the procurator fiscal for alleged assault. The alleged incident happened at 7.30am on Saturday, May 26, at Greenfield Drive, Cambusnathan, Wishaw.
A 27-year-old Shotts man was arrested and will be reported to the procurator fiscal for allegedly failing to wear a seat belt, failing to stop for police, careless driving and breach of the peace. The alleged incident happened at 1.40pm on Sunday, May 27, at Cluanie Avenue, Dykehead.