Band of Builders Completes Milestone 50th Project 

Construction charity Band of Builders recently celebrated the completion of its 50^th project – renovating the home of an amputee Ipswich builder.

Jay (James) House’s family home had been left a building site when he was unable to finish an extension he started two years ago after being diagnosed with cancer.

Jay and his family lived in their home for 18 months with a makeshift kitchen on wheels, an air fryer, portable hob, washing machine and dishwasher and no sink, before contacting Band of Builders for help.

More than 30 volunteer tradespeople answered the call, completing the renovation in just two weeks, which included the installation of a new kitchen supplied by Howdens, as well as new flooring, doors, skirting and architraves.

Ten years ago, Jay’s right leg had to be amputated below the knee after damaging his ankle in a cross-country race – but this didn’t stop him working as a sole trader builder.

Later, after suffering back pain for a considerable amount of time, Jay was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow, which caused his spine to collapse and left him five inches shorter.

Jay underwent a combination of chemotherapy and stem cell treatment – which he refers to as a “factory reset” for his body – and subsequently had to have all his childhood inoculations all over again.

Complete Family Home

After seeing their completed home for the first time, an emotional Jay and his family thanked the charity and its volunteers. Jay said: “It’s amazing, that they’ve done so much in such a small space of time. If I was still able to do it, it would have taken me months and months, tackling one room at a time.

“We can’t thank Band of Builders enough because it’s lifted a dark cloud that has been hanging over our family – and now we have a family home that will be a joy to come downstairs to every morning.”

Milestone 50^th Project

The completion of this milestone 50^th project coincides with Band of Builders’ 10^th anniversary. The charity has grown rapidly since its conception from a single act of kindness in May 2016, when its founder posted on social media asking for help to renovate the home of his close friend and colleague Keith Ellick.

Speaking about reaching the landmark number of projects 10 years on of its very first one, CEO Gavin Crane commented: “As Band of Builders completes its 50^th project for Jay and his family, we stand not just in front of another finished home but behind fifty stories of hope rebuilt, dignity restored and lives changed for the better. Every nail driven, every wall raised and every hour given represents the unstoppable spirit of our industry coming together when it matters most.

“This milestone isn’t about numbers – it’s about people, compassion and community. We are proof that when tradespeople unite, we don’t just build houses: we rebuild lives.”

>> Read about more Band of Builders projects in the news