Building charity to adapt Solihull dad's home after fall left him paralysed - The Solihull Observer

Building charity to adapt Solihull dad's home after fall left him paralysed

Solihull Editorial 23rd Nov, 2020   0

A SOLIHULL dad who was left paralysed after a fall is set to have his home adapted thanks to a group of builders.

Low blood pressure caused Robert Lamb, 58, to faint while he was about to climb into bed last month.

He fractured bones in his neck, causing a severe spinal cord injury which has left him paralysed from the chest down.

The father of four is in a rehabilitation centre in Oswestry where he is expected to stay until around February time.




In the meantime Band of Builders, a charity run by volunteer trades people, has agreed to go the family home and make the necessary alterations as Robert adapts to his new life.

Robert, whose wife Julie died three years ago, lives with sons Mackenzie, Gavin and Callum, while older daughter Tara lives in America.


A GoFundMe page was set up by his son Gavin to pay for his dad’s care and adaptations needed to the house.

So far the site has raised a whopping £22,000 for the quantity surveyor but national charity Band of Builders has also stepped in and will carry out the adaptations to the family home.

The charity, which helps members of the UK construction industry battling illness or injury through the completion of practical projects, will make a range of changes to the family’s home to make it accessible for Robert, who was widowed when wife Julie died suddenly in 2017.

The exact work that Band of Builders will carry out is yet to be agreed, but it will be undertaken by volunteer tradespeople from across the country using materials donated by the construction sector.

Gavin, 26, whose older sister Tara lives in America, said: “The whole thing has been a difficult time for all of us – especially dad.

“We had no idea that Band of Builders existed until recently and now they’re going to help us make the house a safe, accessible place for him to come back to.

“It’s such a generous offer and we’re all a bit blown away. Some of the money from the GoFundMe campaign will be donated to the charity, but them doing this means we can focus those funds on dad’s care.”

The charity’s chairman Gavin Crane said: “Helping people most in need is what we do, and when we heard about Robert’s situation it wasn’t a difficult decision to make to help.

“It’s vital that the home Robert comes back to is safe and comfortable for him, no matter what the prognosis is, and we’ll be working with the family to make sure it’s got absolutely everything they need.”

For more or to donate visit uk.gofundme.com/f/in-support-of-robert-bob-lamb

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