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Contact Europlas
Torbay businesses support charity DIY SOS
EURO005 17/07/10
Businesses from across the region have come to the rescue of a severely disabled Torbay man and the dedicated young family that cares for him.
Neil Wright, was born with autism and severe learning difficulties so that although 47 years-old he has the mental age and understanding of a two-year-old.
Since the death of his mother Neil has been cared for full time by his sister Jane Bemand-Wright and her husband Daniel in their small two-bedroom Tamar Avenue home.
With their own growing family and increasing pressure on space, the couple began building an extension to give Neil a quiet environment away from the hustle and bustle of family life but ran out of funds earlier this year after failing to secure grant support.
Forced to sleep in a single bedroom with their children Eloise aged two and Aston aged 15-months, since the project stalled, the couple launched an appeal to the Torbay business community to help them complete the project and give Neil desperately needed space.
Now after fearing for the future of the family, home improvement specialist Europlas has come to their aid after being contacted by carers charity Crossroads, supplying and fitting windows, doors and Sarnafil roofing to the extension at no charge.
Jane said: "Neil has learning difficulties but in many respects his autism is the bigger challenge because it means he almost likes to live in a box with everything in its place, for example if you were to move an ornament he'd notice it and be distressed.
"With two young children you can imagine the noise and disruption – he has been becoming so distressed he would simply go and spend all his time alone in his room, which isn't good for him.
"At the same time with all of us in the same bedroom it isn't good for the children because when we come to bed we disturb them and there's no where for us to put their toys. I know that was a really big issue for my husband – that we didn't have a nursery when Aston was born and you do see nice things for girls' and boys' bedrooms that you would like to buy but know you can't.
"But now my children are going to have their own room by Christmas and Neil is going to get a quiet space where he can feel secure. Europlas and the other businesses who are getting involved have been an absolute godsend, we can't thank them enough, it's just such a huge relief."
While well on their way to delivery, Europlas is still appealing for support from other businesses to provide labour to render external walls and to secure the priority first electrical and plumbing fixes for the building plus a donation of a new bathroom.
Jim Short, general manager Europlas, said: "We're going to get the project watertight in the next couple of weeks and have had great support from our colleagues in businesses across the region but still need a little more support to finish the job off completely.
"This is a family that is working exceptionally hard to support and care for one of its members in the face of huge challenges. They're truly inspirational and we're simply delighted to be able to do a little bit to help them."
The family were supported in their appeal to the business community by the carers' charity Crossroads after failing to secure funding through a Disabled Facilities Grant.
Pennie Evans, development manager Crossroads Care South West, said Jane's plight was symptomatic of a much wider problem. "Carers don't see caring as a job, they simply see it as looking after their mum, dad, brother, sister, partner or other loved one but it's a full time job and one which saves the state a huge amount of money over the weeks, months and years that they do it.
"If Neil was in full time care we worked out it would cost the state between £600 and £800 per week. Jane committed to her mother to care for her brother on her death bed and she simply wants to give him a place where he can feel safe and secure and lead a full and happy life.
"She's a hugely strong and caring woman who has missed out for reasons that we can't understand and who deserves as normal a life as she can lead. The support from the businesses community has been fantastic."
Europlas, part of the Epwin Group, is one of the Torbay's largest employers. The company is a leading manufacturer and installer of low maintenance, energy efficient and high security PVC-U windows, doors, conservatories, roofline and roofing products and Solar panels.
"You sometimes think that in a recession no one cares that there isn't any support or any goodwill out there but this shows that there is – these companies are making our life as a family so much better, we can't thank them enough", added Jane.
If you're a local business who can offer the project you expertise please contact Eleanor Dann on 01626 323 010 or email edann@europlas.co.uk.
If you're a carer who wants to find out more about the support available please contact Crossroads Care South West on 01803 323510, email pennie.evans@crossroadscaresw.org.uk or visit www.crossroads.org.uk.
For further information on Europlas' range of advanced-security energy efficient products call Freephone 0800 550330 or visit www.europlas.co.uk.
Click here to view the related Herald & Express article
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