VOLUNTEERS from building professions have completed the transformation of the home of a dad who has motor neurone disease.

National charity Band of Builders stepped forward to update the Cradley home of Sarah Townsend and her partner Jamie Thompson.

In just one week they created a kitchen and garden accessible to Jamie’s wheelchair so that the family can be together.

Sarah said: “Jamie and I are totally bowled over with the work which the Band of Builders carried out at our home in just one week – it’s staggering.

"The end result is creative and breathtaking. Already Jamie and the children have utilised the whole of the garden, something which in recent years, has not been possible.

"This incredible group of people have created two extra spaces in our home which Jamie can now safely use and utilise to the full."

Electrician Jamie, Sarah and two-year-old son Ollie moved out in the last week of August. Progress was kept under wraps until the unveiling took place on September 1.

Sarah added: "The Band of Builders deserve every success and huge recognition for what they do. Giving up their precious time over two weekends (one of which was a bank holiday) right at the end of the school summer holidays, away from their families, to help Jamie enjoy his home once more, has been very humbling.

"Thank you Band of Builders, The Lighthouse Charity and Jewsons. You will all have a special place in our hearts forever."

The Band of Builders volunteer team came from as far afield as Kent, Essex and North Wales, with volunteers giving their time for free, and covering their own expenses.

The Cradley and Malvern community have chipped in to share the load: from the local fish and chip van donating a meal for the whole crew to Jamie’s sister cooking evening meals.

Malvern St James Girls’ School – where Sarah works as a head in the Prep Department - also came to the rescue when they realised that the volunteer builders would have to pay for their own accommodation or sleep in their vans.

The school gave them all rooms in a staff boarding house on the school site and the catering team delivered bacon butties to the workers every morning.

The Band of Builders’ remit is to help fellow tradespeople in their hour of need, by banding together and completing projects which will improve lives being negatively impacted by illness.