Four construction professionals and 35 regional projects have been named as finalists in the annual Jewson Building Better Communities competition. A prize fund of £250,000 will be shared by the winners to help deserving causes across England, Scotland and Wales.
The 38 nominated community groups will be split into 11 regional shortlists and can win prizes of up to £10,000 worth of materials for renovation and newbuild projects. A grand prize of £50,000 worth of materials and labour will be given to the most deserving project in England, Scotland or Wales, following the decision of a public vote and a panel of judges.
The winning projects will be revealed at an awards ceremony at the University of Nottingham on 5 July. Members of the public have until 18 June to vote for their local project on the Building Better Communities website: www.buildingbettercommunities.co.uk.
David Thomas, a plasterer from Stafford; Jamie Borthwick, an interior designer and contractor from Barton Upon Humber; Addam Smith, a landscaper from Lincolnshire; and John Eastham, a construction specialist solicitor from Congleton, have also been shortlisted for the new Trade Hero category of the competition.
The Trade Hero Award celebrates the behind the scenes work carried out by those in the construction industry who work tirelessly to make their communities better places to live. The winner will receive £50,000 worth of building materials to complete a community renovation project close to their heart.
Clare Harding, marketing services director at Jewson, said: “Since the first year of the competition in 2015, Building Better Communities has helped over 40 projects across the UK. We’ve been inspired by the local tradespeople who have chipped in with these projects over the years and thought it was high time they got some recognition, so we’ve introduced the Trade Hero Award.
“For 2017, we’ve doubled the prize fund available to regional projects, meaning that we’re giving more people the chance make an impact in their community and improve the lives of local people along the way.”
