The diagnosis of a spinal abscess in 2021 left Jewson Partnership Solutions’ Paul Kitterman paralysed from the waist down, but the support of Band of Builders has helped to change the lives of Paul and his family.
Following the diagnosis and significant time in hospital, Paul had been able to return home – and was also back to work at a dedicated Jewson Partnership Solution branch that serves the world-famous Pinewood and Shepperton film and TV studios – but he had been forced to sleep in the dining room of his Addlestone home for three years with only a curtain for privacy and no toilet or washing facilities.
The Band of Builders (BoB) national construction charity was able to rally support, with more than 25 tradespeople from across the UK volunteering their time for free to build a ground-floor bedroom and bathroom extension at Paul’s family home. The addition was built in three weeks and Paul says having his own bedroom for the first time in years has been a life-changing experience that means he can finally get a good night’s sleep again.
Speaking about the project, Paul and wife Sasha said they can’t thank enough all the BoB volunteers and the companies that donated materials for the extension. He said: “This project has changed our lives. This extension gives me my dignity and privacy back, as I now have shower and toilet facilities, as well as my own bed.
“I’ve had a great night’s sleep every night since the project was completed, and it’s all down to the incredible, selfless tradespeople who gave their time for free to help change our lives.”
Paul’s story
In October 2021, Paul went to his local A&E with what he thought was a bad back that was getting worse – and he collapsed upon arrival. Doctors conducted a battery of tests and diagnosed a spinal abscess. He was immediately transferred to a specialist hospital in London, where he was put into an induced coma, as he had also contracted pneumonia and sepsis.
The spinal abscess was not diagnosed in time, and it has left Paul paralysed from the waist down. He spent the next six months in hospital at five different specialist spinal and rehabilitation units.
Paul has made remarkable progress and has been supported every step of the way by wife Sasha. He has been able to return to work in an administrative role at solution and managed service provider Jewson Partnership Solutions (JPS) – which has a dedicated branch that serves the Pinewood and Shepperton film and TV studios and supplies materials for use on the various sets and stages.
He is full of praise for JPS, who have integrated him back into the branch so he can continue to work, and he travels to and from the branch in a Motability vehicle.
BoB steps in to help
Paul and Sasha called on BoB for help, as it is a registered charity that completes practical projects to help members of the UK construction industry and their families who are battling illness or injury. The team at BoB put out a call for volunteers for what was the charity’s 43rd project to its 50,000-strong community of supporters, as well as its corporate supporters including headline sponsor DEWALT, corporate partners including Jewson, Ibstock and Forterra in addition to Reconomy, SIG Roofing, CTD Tiles, Ideal Bathrooms, Minster, Catnic, PowerCor Ltd and Ralph Plastering.
Tim Winstanley, DEWALT’s Senior Brand Manager – UK + ROI, said: “When we heard about Paul’s situation through our partners at Band of Builders, we knew this was a project that we wanted to help with. Our team donated their time to the project, alongside the tools required to complete the build, as we all knew it would make a real difference to Paul’s life and that of his family.
“It’s important the trade community stick together when times get tough, and we’re keen to play our part alongside the incredible volunteers at Band of Builders.”
One of the coordinators of the project, Andrew Pell, said that the project took three weeks to complete. He explained: “As soon as the planning permission was granted, we got the ball rolling on this project, as Paul was desperate to regain his dignity and privacy in having a bedroom and wet room – instead of having to live in his dining room.
“This is another in a long line of projects delivered by the volunteers from Band of Builders that is life-changing for a member of the construction industry.”
Click here for more information on Band of Builders, including details of its recent projects and how you can help the charity conduct its vital work.
Band of Builders also organises the Big Brew, an annual event to raise awareness of the mental health crisis in the construction industry – where the suicide rate is estimated to be as high as two people every day, with UK construction workers also nearly three times as likely to die by suicide than their counterparts in other industries.
