BOB’S RETURN VISIT TO HELP WILLIE

When Michael Dangerfield – known to everyone as Willie – had a problem with his shower, he knew exactly who he could rely on for help.

Just before Christmas 2023, one of Band of Builders’ volunteers visited his Gloucestershire flat and fixed Willie’s boiler – meaning that he could enjoy a warm home and hot water after months without either.

He said at the time: “Matt the volunteer was brilliant in fixing the boiler so my flat is all warm and cosy now, thanks to an amazing charity.”

Willie had just moved in after suffering a stroke and was also dealing with a divorce. He had an eye-watering estimate for fixing the boiler, which he simply couldn’t afford. As it turns out, the fault with the boiler was incorrect, and it was actually easier to fix than first estimated.

This was a great relief to Willie, who was a former general builder with a talent for resin flooring who had suffered a major stroke while working away from home, leaving him with a brain injury and unable to return to work. Since then, he has faced ongoing challenges, including fatigue, memory loss and significant life changes. Despite this, Willie’s determination continues to inspire. Once a keen runner, he has since taken up open water swimming and regularly attends Headway Gloucestershire for support as he adapts to life after his injury. 

Fast forward to this year, and when his shower stopped working, Willie got back in touch and asked if we could help. The problem was so bad that Willie had to turn the water off in his flat, apart from when he needed to fill the kettle and flush the toilet. In the meantime, Willie was showering at his dad’s house nearby.

Two of our volunteers, Tracey and Kevin (who between them have been involved in more than 20 projects), visited Willie, took the old shower out, installed a new shower and tiled the area they’d been working on – all in one day.

This means that BoB has now completed 49 projects.

Willie said: “I’m extremely happy and so grateful that Band of Builders has helped me again. You are such kind people. I can’t thank you enough.”

Revisiting Willie’s home is a powerful reminder that our commitment doesn’t end when a project is signed off – our beneficiaries become part of the BoB family, and we’re proud to return when further support is needed. It’s also a reminder that our charity couldn’t deliver projects like this without volunteers like Tracey and Kevin, who continue to step up and support others.