Five trade heroes and 32 regional projects have won a share of a £250,000 prize fund from Jewson.
This was part of the builders’ merchant’s Building Better Communities competition, which rewards people and organisations involved in projects that improve their local community.
The top Trade Hero winner was Stephen Keenan, who won £50,000 worth of building materials to support his social enterprise Happy Days Building and Roofing Company, which recruits and trains people who have experienced addiction and homelessness to help with community building projects.
Runners up David Lloyd, Jon Simkins, Steve Dixon and Aaron Pearson each received £10,000 worth of building materials.
Winning projects included Veterans Retreat in Cheshire, which aims to train local ex-service personnel to build log cabins and a classroom. Delegates and their families can visit the retreat to learn about how to cope with life outside the Army and new trade skills.
Presenting the prizes was architect and TV personality George Clarke.
Jewson’s Managing Director, Thierry Dufour, said: “There are some fantastic people working in the construction industry who sometimes go unnoticed, so we take great pride in finding and celebrating those people.
“We also hope that, through their prize, these unsung heroes can continue the great work they’re already doing and, in turn, help build even better communities where they live.”
