Early last year Checkatrade member Addam Smith discovered that his close friend and fellow trader Keith Ellick had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and set about helping him in any way he could.

Initially setting himself a target of £2,000 to help put Keith’s affairs in order, Addam set up a Go Fund Me page and shared the link amongst the online trading community on Facebook. Within just a few days this target had been beaten and, now, the overall total currently stands at almost £60,000.

Off the back of this outstanding feat, Band of Builders was formed, a group of dedicated tradesmen who raise money for good causes for people who have found themselves in similar situations to Keith. Addam is a Checkatrade member and landscaper based in Lincoln.

Addam then went one step further renovating Keith’s house in a DIY SOS style makeover. Over 50 tradesmen from all over the country turned up and completed a refurbishment of the house and garden over the course of a week.

Addam is overwhelmed by the response to the campaign, he said, “The support has been immense straight the way I received hundreds of messages from people wanting to contribute. It’s a case of pulling people together because people want to help. We’ve had thousands of tradesmen from all around the world who want to participate. I receive messages every day from people wanting to know about the next project.”

Unfortunately, Keith passed away on 27 March aged 42, less than a week before he was supposed to carry the official match ball out at Wembley Stadium ahead of last Sunday’s Checkatrade Trophy final. Addam and his son George carried out the ball on his behalf in front of 74,434 people and it will be passed on to Keith’s family. The Checkatrade Trophy itself was carried out at by RAF servicemen Corporal Brew Butler and Sergeant Billy Albert who served alongside Keith in the regiment.

Band of Builders are currently hoping to raise enough money to buy Keith’s family home from the council which will help to provide them with more stability in the future. Addam and the Band of Builders team are now hoping to gain a recognisable charity status in order to help other families in similar situations.

To find out more about Band of Builders or to make a donation to this worthy cause visit https://www.bandofbuilders.com/