Thanks to the benevolence of a Band of Builders one of Keady’s “biggest characters” may be set to receive the wet room he so badly needs… and a little bit more!
Marcus McGee, a Blackwatertown-based trustee with UK registered charity Band of Builders, was recently made aware of a fundraising campaign led by the family of Keady man, Raymond Callaghan.
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Better known as ‘Boots’, Raymond’s family started a GoFundMe page to install a wet room to help improve his quality of life as he continues to battle a rare form of pulmonary fibrosis.
Once-upon-a-time a tradesman himself, Boots was diagnosed with NSIP in 2019 after 43 years of breathing in cement dust as a bricklayer.
Upon receiving his diagnosis he was given two to three years, however, a clinical trial drug offered by his consultant means he is still here today.
Sadly, over the past year, his condition has been getting worse and he uses oxygen 24/7, no longer able to go out.
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With the fibrosis now covering most of Raymond’s lungs, the family are doing everything in their power to provide him with a downstairs space of his own.
Coincidentally, there was a man just across the River Blackwater who had the ability to help.
Speaking to Armagh I, Marcus explained how they got the ball rolling: “My daughter went to school with Raymond’s daughter and it was Raymond’s daughter who shared the GoFundMe.
“My daughter then sent it through to me and asked if I could help this family and it went from there.
“I told them to make an application towards Band of Builders to see if they would qualify for help and when it got to stage two I was then sent out to do a visit and saw them and, essentially, they were looking for a wet room downstairs but the room was just way too small.”
Rather than be discouraged by the lack of space, Marcus went one step further for the father of six.
He added: “So, I thought if we are extending for a wet room we will also do a bedroom because Raymond is currently sleeping in his lounge and it’s not ideal.”
The build, once complete, will massively improve Raymond’s quality of life.
But, Marcus needs a little help to make it all possible.
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He said: “Now it’s a case of recruiting volunteers and I’m hoping if Armagh I cover the story it will spread the word of it because if there are no volunteers, we can’t do it.
“We are relying on local tradespeople helping out.”
While their is no estimated build time at this stage, Marcus reassures potential volunteers that “it’s a case of giving up whatever they can afford to give up”.
“I would never expect people to say “I’ll be there for the full ten days” for argument’s sake. Just whatever they can do,” he continued.
Marcus has met with both Raymond and his wife of 25 years, Alison during a home visit. He described Raymond as being in “total shock” when learning that Band of Builders had named him as a beneficiary.
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Set to commence in January 2025, this will be their third Northern Ireland-based project in two years.
It is also the third project that J P Corry Building Suppliers have been involved with as Marcus confirms they have once again “stepped up” to cover all supplies needed for the build.
However, Marcus still requires support from local bathroom and tiling suppliers as well as ground workers, ‘brickies’, joiners, carpenters, roofers, plumbers, bathroom fitters, electricians, decorators and other tradespeople to volunteer their time to help make the space a reality.
Those wishing to participate in the build can complete a Band of Builders application form here.
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