Forterra joins DIY SOS to transform Treetops Children’s Hospice

Leading building products manufacturer Forterra recently took part in DIY SOS’ latest project for Children in Need, a complete renovation of the Treetops Children’s Hospice in Risley, Derbyshire. Having donated its Bison Precast beam and block flooring system to the project, Forterra celebrated the finished hospice’s grand reveal, which was hosted by DIY SOS’ own Nick Knowles.

The Treetops’ Hospice funding currently supports children going through a traumatic bereavement, helping them to improve their mental health and wellbeing while developing skills to cope with their grief. Treetops has been supporting families for over 40 years and is now recognised as a centre of excellence for children’s counselling.

The specially designed renovation will enable the hospice to deliver support and counselling in a new purpose-built environment equipped with brand new counselling rooms and a bespoke communal area.

Two Graduate Apprentices from Forterra, Hannah Yells and Milly Pratt, were in attendance at the reveal, alongside Forterra’s East Midlands Area Sales Manager Chris Hall.

The epic reveal was celebrated with DIY SOS’s Nick Knowles and the purple shirts alongside Scott Mills and Children in Need’s Pudsey the Bear. Singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor also made an appearance, surprising the volunteers and tradespeople with a celebratory Kitchen Disco.

Together they were joined by an army of volunteers who had helped create the charity’s new building. Astonishingly, the build project was completed in just ten days.

The episode has been broadcast during November’s BBC Children in Need Appeal week.

Across Derbyshire, BBC Children in Need currently funds 29 projects to the value of £1.5million supporting children and young people.

Nick Knowles, Presenter of BBC One’s DIY SOS said: “The last ten days have been no mean feat; this build was huge and really tested us, but the generosity and passion of the local community and beyond really got us through.

“Seeing the faces of the Treetops team when the new building was revealed was a really special moment. Everyone has put so much hard work into this build, giving up their own time to accomplish this brilliant new building for Treetops Hospice – providing a safe, comforting space for families at a time when they need it most. A huge thank you to everyone involved.”

Jules Kirk, Director of Treetops Hospice said: “Seeing our incredible new building for the first time was something we won’t ever forget. We cannot put into words the difference that it will make to the children and families we support.

“The generosity shown over the build means there are far too many people to thank, but on behalf of everyone here at Treetops, I would like to express an enormous thank you to the countless people that made this possible!”

Caroline Wildman, Marketing Director for Forterra, said: “This is a fantastic organisation that has made vital contributions to the mental health of grieving children and young people. We are extremely proud to be a part of such an important build project. Seeing so many volunteers come together has truly been a spectacle to behold and we couldn’t be happier to have made a contribution.”