Ben’s project is just one of the many incredible initiatives we’re supporting by supplying materials from our SIG Roofing branch in York. The work is happening from 22nd to 25th May in Selby, North Yorkshire, where a brand-new roof is needed over Ben’s room.
SIG Roofing announced its partnership with the Band of Builders (BoB) charity last year and has committed to supporting its fundraising activities with numerous initiatives during 2025.
Get Involved!
There are many ways to get involved. Band of Builders are looking for Roofers to help them with this project on the dates above. To register your interest, please email [email protected].
You can also help by donating directly online to help the cause at https://bandofbuilders.enthuse.com/cf/sig-and-band-of-builders
About Ben’s Project
Former landscaper Richard Firth and his wife Alison purchased a project house in North Yorkshire in 2021, intending to renovate it as their “forever” home where they could raise a family.
Their plans changed dramatically when their five-year-old son, Ben, became pale. They took him to the doctor, and the situation quickly escalated. Ben was taken to a local hospital before being rushed to Sheffield Children’s Hospital, where he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Three years later, Ben is thankfully in remission, but the demands of caring for him, alongside their day jobs and the ongoing renovations of their 200-year-old house, have taken a toll on the couple.
Richard became overwhelmed by the relentless renovation tasks needed to complete the house. He was forced to leave his job in the landscaping industry and take a position driving lorries. Although he was motivated to continue the renovations for his family’s sake, the adrenaline-fueled survival instinct that had helped him during the initial crisis eventually gave way to stress, depression, and anxiety as Ben’s treatment concluded.
While Richard has worked incredibly hard to tackle various issues, including significant mold and dampness problems, he admitted to feeling “too proud” to ask for help. However, the house now needs a new roof, which is beyond his capabilities.
What’s the Plan?
The property is a three-bedroom Victorian house that has been extended over the years, featuring a mix of flat and apex roofs. The flat roof above Ben’s bedroom is watertight, but one section of the apex roof requires replacement. This project involves replacing a 10 m by 5 m apex roof.
More details at https://bandofbuilders.org/pages/bens-project
