Cheshire Home is grateful for offers to fix roof leaks
ROOF leaks at the Guernsey Cheshire Home will be repaired very soon after the charity said it received a ‘breathtaking’ response to a front page story in the Guernsey Press.
Within two hours of Wednesday’s paper being published, individuals and companies started contacting the home to offer their time, money and staff.
Residents have been living with buckets in their rooms to catch dripping water, which is thought to have started in the aftermath of Storm Ciaran last November.
Guernsey Cheshire Home chairman Rob Shepherd said that such a kind response made him proud to be living in Guernsey.
‘This was a direct consequence of the front page story. During the morning on Wednesday, we received a number of phone calls of people who would like to help out,’ he said.
‘There was one individual who wanted to remain anonymous but was determined to help out, Sarnian Roofing said that they would help out and source the materials, and a local charitable trust that has benefitted us previously said they had some money they were going to send to us later, but we could have it now instead.
‘The kindness has been breathtaking. I am incredibly grateful to be a part of the community of Guernsey.’
The worst leaks are in one of the corridors, but one resident has been forced to locate a bin permanently underneath a leak in their room, and another resident has a hole in the ceiling of their bathroom.
The repairs had an estimated cost of about £7,000 – until the local community rallied around in response to the Press’ story.
Sarnian Roofing managing director Andy Gavey approached Lindsey Hart at Norman Piette, who said the company would donate sheets of plywood for the repairs, and Mark Monk of Polyroof agreed to supply products for the roof.
Sarnian Roofing will be carrying out the repairs free of charge.
‘As soon I saw the article, I knew I wanted to do the work, and called them straight away,’ said Mr Gavey.
‘Residents shouldn’t have to have buckets in their bedrooms catching the water. I see it as doing my bit for the community.
‘We do work to help Les Bourgs Hospice when they have problems with their roof too, especially in a cost-of-living crisis.’
Mr Gavey has re-organised his workload to start the repairs next Saturday.
The home previously feared they would have to put up with the leaks for months.
Some islanders also donated through a Just Giving page. The home said these valuable funds would be used in full to support the home and its residents and thanked donors for their generosity.
The Guernsey Cheshire Home accommodates 11 full-time residents with severe disabilities and must raise £1.4m. each year to keep running.
