BUILDERS’ CHARITY, Band of Builders, has installed a brand-new kitchen for a father of seven after he was diagnosed with an aggressive form of spinal multiple sclerosis (MS).

Former builder Chris Chappell, 44,  has been using walking aids and a Motability scooter since his diagnosis, and will need a wheelchair within the next two years.

Chris’s condition left him unable to carry out routine tasks, including cooking the Sunday roast for his family, until construction charity Band of Builders stepped in to help.

The charity sent a team of volunteers from across the UK to install a brand-new, accessible kitchen for Chris so he can continue to use it easily.

In just a week, the group of eight volunteers transformed the kitchen at the home in Torpoint, Plymouth, installing a bespoke kitchen donated by AKW Medi-Care Limited. The kitchen includes a rise-and-fall worktop housing a hob and sink as well as pull down baskets and a pull-out larder which will make it easier for Chris to use his storage and cupboards.

Brand-New Kitchen

The new kitchen was revealed to the family in a handover attended by many of the volunteers. Chris, who had to give up lots of things he loves, such as coaching a local football team and playing with his children, said he is looking forward to cooking for his family again.

He said: “I was struggling with the old kitchen so I’m just looking forward to being able to get in there and cook a meal – it’ll be a roast with all the trimmings because we’ve missed having one. It’s been getting harder and harder and I haven’t wanted to do one because it was such a struggle. Now this will make it so much easier.”

Chris, a City & Guilds qualified bricklayer and general builder who was nearing 15 years in the trade, was put in touch with Band of Builders by fellow Torpoint resident and parent on the same school run, Audra, who the charity installed a new wet room for.

Band of Builders Operations Director, Tony Steel, said: “It’s been a privilege to have helped Chris and his family and know that we’ve done something to futureproof his home as he inevitably has to rely on a wheelchair.

“The local community has been hugely supportive, and the fact Chris heard about us from another beneficiary just goes to show how word can spread and ultimately help us to help more people.”

Band of Builders was supported on the project by construction sector partners including Jewson, Richards Builders Merchants and Palio Trade by Karndean, as well as AKW Medi-Care Limited.

Watch the project handover below.

>> Read about more of Band of Builders’ recent projects

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