A PROJECT to convert a house into a more wheelchair-friendly accommodation is underway.

The project is being overseen by Band of Builders, who gained charity status earlier this year. Their objective is to convert the homes of people in the construction industry into more accessible areas following accidents or illness.

The group’s latest project is to help out plumber Peter Cape, 46, from from Pen-Y-Garnedd near Llanfyllin, who suffered life-changing injuries last year, leaving him wheelchair-bound.

Peter is a member of Band of Builders himself since the charity’s infancy and gave up his time in 2018 to volunteer on Pippa’s Project.

Since then he has volunteered for Band of Builders where possible by joining in with fundraising events and giving up his spare time to moderate BoB’s trade-specific social media group, We are Band of Builders.

In December last year Peter was inspecting a roof and work area on a single storey building ahead of a flue installation when the ladder he was using began to slide down the roof. He fell, suffering severe fractures to both heels and one of his feet.

After spending a week in hospital and undergoing numerous scans and X-rays, Peter returned to hospital in January for 10 days to have an operation on his left foot. The surgeon reconstructed Peter’s foot using pins and plates but, due to the extent of the injuries, his right foot is currently inoperable, leaving him with no other option than to wait to determine the level of disability before a medical decision can be made on the next course of action.

Consultants have advised Peter that as a result of his accident he will be left with significant and permanent mobility issues. He currently faces only two surgical options – a subtalar joint fusion or amputation depending on the level of damage sustained. This will only become clear once Peter begins his physiotherapy to hopefully walk again. At this stage Peter faces up to four years of medical treatment, with the outcome uncertain.

But following his accident, he found himself on the receiving end of the support provided by the charity.

Tradespeople from across the country descended on Peter’s home on April 19 and hope to hand it back to the family on April 27 once they have made changes to make life easier for Peter.

Dan Harris, from Band of Builders, said: “Peter’s home isn’t currently wheelchair-friendly – he is unable to access the bathroom or kitchen and is only able to go outside with the help of his family.”

To donate to Band of Builders, visit here