Fish Insurance’s helping hand to DIY SOS

We’ve played a role in transforming a Blackpool children’s home for a popular BBC programme which aired on Thursday, November 17.

Fish Insurance was part of a team of volunteers whose donations of skills and products helped television’s Nick Knowles and Laurence Llewelyn Bowen revamp Beaverbrooks House in Blackpool for BBC One’s DIY SOS Children In Need special.

The £1million makeover turned the Victorian property into a new centre for Blackpool Young Carers in what the DIY SOS team described as their most challenging project yet.

Fish Insurance provided the centre with computers and IT equipment to the value of £5,000.

John Garrard, managing director at Fish Insurance, said: “We’re a specialist insurer for people with medical conditions and disabilities, so we see first-hand the impact that serious illness or disability can have on families. The inspiring care given by these young people is something we wanted to support so we jumped at the chance to make a donation to the project.

“Like many of the volunteers we have been touched by the stories of children and young people in Lancashire helping to look after their relatives, and Blackpool Carers’ Centre will change their lives for the better.”

Camilla Ball, former young carers’ champion and now specialist support worker at Blackpool Carers’ Centre, added: “The transformation wouldn’t have been possible without the people and businesses who gave up their skills and products for free for the main build in summer and we thank them all. We were thrilled and delighted by the donation from Fish Insurance because it came just after the main build which shows that support is ongoing from the business community. DIY SOS really is the gift that keeps giving.”

Blackpool Carers’ Centre is an independent local charity and member of The Carers Trust Network, supporting unpaid carers looking after family or friends with an illness or disability. The centre is a fun, safe and supportive environment where young carers are able to enjoy their childhood and have some respite from their caring responsibilities.