Portaferry construction firm staff at heart of DIY SOS show

3 March 2021

A PORTAFERRY construction company was part of a small army of volunteers who helped make BBC One’s first ever DIY SOS programme in Northern Ireland a success.

Director Paul Collins from Marlfield Construction led a four-man team of labourers and joiners who signed up to help transform a house for Bangor mother Mandy McCreight who lives with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome which affects the body’s connective tissue.

The men were part of the project over 10 days in the summer of 2019 where the work helped integrate Mandy back into the house of her family home as she previously had to spend her time in her bedroom due to the unsuitability of the layout.

The emotional DIY SOS programme broadcast last Monday night was warmly received by viewers.

Marlfield were already on a high when the request came back in 2019 after becoming double award winners at the 2019 Master Builder Awards run by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

Paul said: “Working alongside so many tradesmen and companies, not just volunteering from County Down but throughout the whole of Northern Ireland, highlights the positivity within the industry on how we strive to provide quality construction and ensure people’s homes work for them.

“Having full access within your home to fit your needs is extremely important as well as being able to utilise and have independent access to your outdoor space. This has become particularly important and vital for everyone especially this past year.”

Paul said that the DIY SOS team made everyone feel welcome and all volunteers were very well looked after whilst on site and many new working relationships formed.

He added that he hopes that by featuring in such prominent project, it will inspire others to consider the construction industry as a viable career option.

“Whether you are only starting to look at career choices or are older and looking for a career change the construction is not only rewarding being able to help people love their homes but also gives you pride to be able to use these skills which can be learnt through a vast array of trade apprenticeships, interior design courses right up to quantity surveying or architecture,” he added.

The programme can be viewed on the BBC iPlayer.

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