Selco Helps Band of Builders Do Home Makeover for Paralysed Dad

SELCO BUILDERS’ MERCHANT has stepped in to help Band of Builders transform the Solihull home of a dad-of-four left paralysed after a fall.

The Solihull branch of Selco Builders Warehouse has donated thousands of pounds worth of materials to help Rob Lamb. Rob’s life was turned upside down when he suffered a severe spinal cord injury after fainting due to low blood pressure in October.

The fall left the 58-year-old quantity surveyor paralysed from the chest down and requiring significant adaptations to his property in order to return home.

Band of Builders

Construction charity Band of Builders mobilised a team of 60 volunteers to carry out the work – and Selco was keen to get involved by gifting £2,000 worth of timber, plasterboard and other materials.

Mike Grendon, branch manager at Selco Solihull said: “It’s a privilege to be able to help Rob. He’s obviously had a terrible few months, not only with the injury but also wondering how he could remain in his home.

“We heard how Band of Builders and their brilliant volunteers were helping make the property as comfortable as possible for Rob and wanted to do everything we could to play our part.

“We know this work has removed a lot of stress for Rob and his family.”

Rob has been recovering at a rehabilitation centre in Oswestry but can now return home safely.

The works included the creation of a downstairs bedroom and wet room, complete with specialist equipment for his condition.

Band of Builders is a registered charity that helps members of the UK construction industry battling illness or injury through the completion of practical projects.

Volunteers give up their time for free to work on projects, while materials are donated by companies across the construction industry.

Biggest Project To Date

Craig Cashmore, Band of Builders volunteer and joint project lead for Rob’s scheme, said: “This is probably one of the biggest jobs Band of Builders has undertaken to date.

“It’s so important that the home he comes back to isn’t just safe, but is somewhere he can live comfortably and happily and the changes will definitely make that happen.

“Support from companies like Selco, both locally and at a national level, is absolutely invaluable to the work we do at Band of Builders. By providing materials and helping raise awareness of the charity, they help us to help even more members of the construction industry.”

Rob, who was widowed when wife Julie died suddenly in 2017, lives with sons Callum, Gavin and West Bromwich Albion youth player Mackenzie, while older daughter Tara lives in America.

Gavin said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the support we’ve received and still can’t quite believe this is all happening. When dad first got injured, we knew we’d need to make huge changes to the house for him to come home, so we started fundraising for those and for the care that he’ll need. Then Band of Builders stepped in and it’s taken a huge weight off. 

“Not only does it mean the money we raised can focus on dad’s care, but it means we’ve got experts making sure everything is done right so the house is as safe and comfortable for dad as possible.”