Band of Builders unveils new charity project in Hereford

Band of Builders (BoB) volunteer tradespeople from across the UK will descend on Hereford to complete work at the home of Kyle O’Connor, who volunteered himself on a similar project in his home town in 2019.

O’Connor and his family have been living with an unfinished extension and loft conversion since the 41-year-old construction teacher suffered a seizure in December 2020, leading to the diagnosis of an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer. O’Connor has since undergone surgery, radiotherapy and is currently receiving a 12-month programme of chemotherapy.

Volunteers from BoB – a registered charity that completes practical projects to help members of the UK construction industry who are battling illness or injury – are set to rally round and complete the ground-floor renovations to the family’s dormer bungalow in Kingsthorne.

Up to 15 volunteer tradespeople – including carpenters, tilers, bathroom fitters and general labourers – will see the completion of the ground-floor extension, en-suite bathroom and dressing room. The volunteers will also work to make the ground-floor living space conducive to O’Connor’s rehabilitation.

Kyle O’Connor said: “Work on the renovation of my home was coming along nicely when, a few days after my 40th birthday, I had a grand mal seizure. Within a couple of months, I was diagnosed with a grade 3 brain tumour, which required immediate surgery.

“During surgery, I also had a stroke and then went through radiotherapy treatment, and now I’m seven months in to a year-long course of chemotherapy. And all the time I’m at home, all I can see is work that needs to be completed to give my family the home they deserve – that’s why I’m so grateful that Band of Builders is supporting my family.”

Jake Anderson, project lead, said: “As a time-served carpenter, I know all too well that Kyle will be looking around his home and all he can see are the jobs that need doing – so our team will help put his and his family’s minds at rest, not only that we’ll complete his project but also that it will be up to his standards.”

This will be the 24th project to date for BoB, which has more than 10,000 supporters from across the construction industry and is backed by major names within the industry, including DEWALT, Jewson, Tarmac, Gibbs & Dandy, V12 Footwear, Talasey, Resideo and Haemmerlin.