Volunteer tradespeople have come together to finish a small extension at the home of a North Lanarkshire roofer who was left unable to complete the project he started after breaking his back and neck in a fall from 8m high scaffolding at work.
Jim Gallacher had started building work at the front of his Bellshill home, but in April 2023, he fell 8m from scaffolding and landed on an Armco barrier in a freak accident at a retail park in Bristol.
Although the 53-year-old has confounded medical experts with his recovery, he has been told he will never be able to lift anything heavy or work at height again – and any slip or trip could result in him being in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. As a result, he has had to close his roofing business.
With the front of his house left like a building site, Gallacher and his wife Debbie called on national construction charity Band of Builders (BoB) for help. The registered charity completes practical projects to help members of the UK construction industry and their families who are battling illness or injury – and 20 volunteers answered the call to complete the project in time for Christmas.
Gallacher had dug out the foundations, installed the drainage and got the brick and block work to waist height – but the project had been left in limbo. The entrance to the front door was via a sloping catwalk board to an unfinished porch floor with a low gazebo above it forcing anyone entering the house to duck.
The volunteers finished the porch – including rendering, plastering and outdoor lights. They also landscaped the garden over three weekends.
Marvelling at the finished work, an overwhelmed Debbie Gallacher said she can’t thank all the volunteers from Band of Builders enough.
“Being able to walk safely through your own front door may not mean much to most people – but to us, it’s life-changing,” she said. “We used to live with the constant worry that Jim may slip or trip outside – which meant he didn’t get out of the house much. But that’s all changing as he can get around safely.
“What has been most amazing has been the amount of people who don’t know us but volunteered their time to help us. We are so, so grateful.”
Jim Gallacher had built a small, prosperous roofing business over a number of years and secured contracts with national retailers – and other projects for all industrial roof types.
He was working with his team on a project in Bristol in April 2023 when the pocket of his trousers snagged on a safety clip as he on his way down a ladder. He missed the first rung of the ladder, fell and landed on an Armco barrier on the floor.
He had broken his back and neck. He had also broken his collarbone and three ribs. He was in intensive care for six days and had surgery on his spine, with two rods inserted.
Gallacher was in hospital for six weeks and in a collar for 13 weeks. Subsequent CT and MRI scans suggest he has nerve damage as a result of the fall.
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) investigated the accident and found there was no negligence – which has left Gallacher unable to make any insurance claim, and he did not have keyman insurance.
This is the 41st project completed by the charity, which attracted construction industry support, including from Tarmac Blue Circle and SIG Roofing, which jointly sponsored the project.
Discussing Tarmac’s support of BoB, Garry Gregory, Packed Products Director at Tarmac, said: “The impact that Band of Builders has is immeasurable, not only for the industry but also for families and real individuals like Jim. We are extremely proud to be supporting Band of Builders in helping to complete the work already started on Jim’s home and to also make it much more accessible going forward.”
Charlotte Pritchard, Head of Marketing for SIG Roofing, said: “We are delighted to be on board working with Band of Builders to help with projects like Jim’s. The impact of the work Band of Builders carries out is felt throughout the industry by contractors and colleagues alike, and we are really pleased to be able to help make a difference.”
BoB Operations Director Tony Steel said: “This is the 41st project we have completed, and along with tradespeople giving up their time, it was also supported by Jewson, Talasey, Rolawn, Reconomy Trade, Marshalls, Lee Brothers, Regatta, Vantage Windows and Doors, Langs Builders and Bellside Building Supplies.
“This is another great example of how the Band of Builders community has come together to support a fellow tradesperson who needed our help.”
