PAGE 44 • FESTIVE NEWS • DECEMBER 2016
CITY FIRM ANSWERS
DIY SOS APPEAL
CITY SERVICE STATION
Commercial Rd, Hereford. HR1 2BG 01432 266396
24 HOURS
ALCOHOL (7am-10pm)
CONFECTIONERY
CHILLED PRODUCTS
NEWS/MAGS
GROCERIES/HOUSEHOLD
CIGARETTES
FREE CASH MACHINE
COFFEE MACHINE
PAYPOINT AGENT
ace
Ma
Two electricians from Hereford electrical contractor
Melcon have played a key role in the popular BBC
TV programme, DIY SOS: the big build, which
attracts audiences of nine million to watch volunteers
undertake a building project to help someone in need.
Chris Williams, Managing Director of Melcon
received an SOS call from the BBC for electricians
to be part of a team adapting the family home in
Monmouth of 35 year old Charlotte Fairlie who just
minutes after giving birth to twin boys suffered a
Our Garage forecourt
devastating stroke which left her paralysed and
store is now operated by
unable to walk or talk. Instead of going home with
Mace
husband Rob and sons, Teddy and Fox the new mum
would spend nine months in hospital. Bravely she
fought to walk and talk again but still handicapped
coping with the layout of the two bedroom family
home was a major problem for her and the family
It was a job for the DIY SOS team and they had
just nine days to complete the life changing task.
Said Chris: “When the BBC told me about the
tragedy faced by Charlotte and her family and how
DIY SOS planned to make life easier for them I
knew instinctively that Melcon should be part of the
project and the reaction
on the day Charlotte
was
shown
her
refurbished home made
it all so worthwhile. We
were part of something
very special.”
ROOFING SUPPLIES
BUILDING SUPPLIES
For the two Melcon
Unit 3, Bridge Business Park
Northwood Yard, Burcott Road
employees, Paul Phipps
Burcott Road, Hereford HR4 9LW
Hereford HR4 9LW
of Ross on Wye and
Tel: 01432 263137 Fax: 01432 344306
Tel: 01432 265071. Fax: 01432 278524
Whenever, whatever
We are also open 24 hours EVERY DAY
including throughout the festive period
for all those last minute items
Hereford’s
f ’ O
Original
i i
Jean Store
Est. 1949
Celebrating 67 years,
here to stay and looking forward to
serving our customers in the future.
JEANS FOR
MEN/WOMEN
All styles/sizes
Short, regular and long
KITCHEN & BATHROOM DEPT
LANDSCAPE CENTRE
Unit 9 Sweetmans Yard
Plough Lane, Hereford HR4 0EE
Tel: 01432 262820. Fax: 01432 279918
Unit 13, Sweetmans Yard
Plough Lane, Hereford HR4 0EE
Tel: 01432 262821. Fax: 01432 279918
Plant Hire
(JCB Hire, Groundworks, Drainage, Excavaons, etc)
mar[email protected]
Casual tops by Santa Cruz, Farrah,
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Tel:
Mobile:
01981 07974
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OPEN
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DAY
AYS A WEEK
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29 Widemarsh Street
Hereford HR4 9EA
Telephone: 01432 273642
For more information and prices ring 01432 880224
James Green, an 18 year old apprentice from Kings
Acre in Hereford working alongside dozens of other
skilled tradesmen and with a stiff deadline to meet
the unusual job was an experience of a lifetime. Said
Paul: “Being part of something that would be a life
changer for this young family was both daunting and
exciting, especially as we were literally players in
what would become a television drama. Having TV
cameras film you fitting plug sockets was a new
experience .”
For James it was an opportunity to fast-track his
training. “I was so pleased the boss included me on
the team. I learnt so much and when Charlotte
arrived on the final day I felt so proud of what we
had all achieved in just a few days. Now I can’t wait
to see the film on TV.” Young James certainly
impressed the jovial DIY SOS boss, Billy Bryne
who has nominated him for the electrical industry’s
Apprentice of the Year Award. He and Paul also got
to meet Nick Knowles the presenter of the
programme which has run for 16 years and gets up
to nine million viewers per episode. Said Nick: “The
success of the programme depends entirely on the
generosity of tradesmen and suppliers like Melcon
stepping in to help a family in desperate need of a
helping hand.”
As well as an extension to provide space for a
carer, the volunteer builders also created a special
physiotherapy room, a playroom for the twins now
a year old and created a new garden.
Above: Paul and James with Nick Knowles