KIND-HEARTED tradespeople across the country are coming together in a bid to transform the home of a Malvern builder battling motor neurone disease (MND) so he can enjoy more precious time with his family.
Jamie Thompson was diagnosed with MND in October 2014, aged 45, and was told he had just three years to live. While the 49-year-old has surpassed medics’ expectations he is wheelchair-bound and has limited use of his hands.
His condition means he is confined to areas which only his motorised wheelchair can access meaning he cannot get out in the garden with two-year-old son Ollie as well as his daughters Kiya, 12, and Amber, seven, from a previous relationship who visit regularly.
Band of Builders has teamed up with the Lighthouse Construction Industry charity to overhaul the garden so he can access all of it.
The two organisations aim to help members of the construction industry in their hour of need. Builders’ merchant Jewson will help fund the project by donating building materials.
Jamie’s partner Sarah Townsend said: “We can’t begin to express our sheer excitement and gratitude.
“Life is so different for Jamie these days and, consequently, for us as a family.
“We are unable to go out to nice places and eat out together, two things we enjoyed more than anything prior to this awful, cruel disease taking its toll.
“Thanks to this project Jamie will now be able to use his garden to its maximum and watch his children enjoy themselves outdoors, something he can at present only witness from the top decking area or from the lounge window.
“A new kitchen and more space within it and the flexibility to throw the doors open and eat outside as a family will mean Jamie can maybe come and keep me company when I cook and we can talk about our day.
“While this horrible illness is going nowhere, we as a family now have something to look forward to and enjoy together long term, which will make Jamie’s time left with us all much happier.”
At least 40 volunteers will gather at Jamie and Sarah’s home from Saturday, August 25 for the week-long project.
Work will include landscaping the garden, adding a new French door and an extended decking area as well as removing the existing kitchen and replacing it with a new one.
Richard Patchesa, trustee at Band of Builders, said: “MND is catastrophic for any family, but especially for someone whose career and life has revolved around physical and practical activity.
“A council-installed lift and decking area has made one small part of the garden accessible for Jamie, but it’s not an area where he can actually spend precious moments with his young children.
“The alteration we’re going to make to his garden, as well as to his house to make it safer, will mean the whole family can enjoy what time they have in safe surroundings.”
