BLEC Global were happy to help when the BBC ‘Children In Need’ team descended on Peterborough to build a new £1million children’s charity centre.


The BLEC team with Tom Shinkins (Ieft) with Gary Mumby (in cap) and Sue Mumby with TV presenter Nick Knowles and the DIY SOS team at Little Miracles centre in Peterborough

TV presenter Nick Knowles and his DIY SOS experts carried out the project at the ‘Little Miracles’ base at The Spinney in Ravensthorpe - a purpose-built centre for families with children who have special needs, disabilities and life-limiting conditions.

Gary Mumby, BLEC managing director, and demonstrator Tom Shinkins carried out landscaping work prior to turf-laying and path-building using a pedestrian power box rake and a pedestrian cultipack seeder.

“We were delighted to help,” said Gary, who with his wife Sue and Tom joined the television team and other volunteers to celebrate the completion of the work. “This is a very important local project that supports so many parents and children who are in need.

“Being on our doorstep we were only too happy to offer support when approached by the Children In Need team.”

The film of the project was shown just before the BBC ‘Children In Need’ fundraising show (November 15) which raised more than £31million in one day with the help of charity events organised all over the UK.

Said Sue Mumby: “The DIY SOS team were as down-to-earth as you would expect them to be – and very friendly with everyone, having a good laugh while carrying out all the building and landscaping work to very professional standards, co-ordinating the work of the volunteers.”

The project, which took nine days, involved demolishing an old building and re-building from scratch a purpose-built centre with special activity rooms, kitchen, offices and fully decorating and furnishing the centre. All the construction, electrical and decorating work was carried out by qualified volunteers – many from Peterborough.

The two-and-a-half acre grounds were landscaped with new paths and play areas, including an artificial football pitch.

A BBC ‘Children In Need’ spokesman said: “We are very grateful to all the professional people who volunteered their time and services for this special project.”

Little Miracles said: “We are entirely run by volunteers with no paid members of staff and so we are always looking for help. We are very grateful to have this wonderful centre which would not have been possible without Children In Need.

“This is a parent-led support group and the whole family is welcome to come and chat, play socialise and engage in meaningful activities chosen by the families.”