Stourbridge furniture makers help to house army veterans
From a Brierley Hill furniture unit to national television – two best friends have put their DIY skills to the test by lending a helping hand to veterans in Manchester.
David Perry and Jamie Wood, from Stourbridge, were approached by DIY SOS to help them spend two weeks transforming streets in Newton Heath for former soldiers to move in with their families.
The team behind the BBC programme, hosted by Nick Knowles, wanted to see whether the fledgling furniture company could help towards their latest project – and the former Stourbridge College students, both aged 28, jumped at the chance.
101 Furniture, which started last year, specialise in making industrial-style furniture out of reclaimed timber and steel.
They donated a large outdoor dining table and benches set with a bright yellow frame to the project, as well as a four-seater garden bistro table with four matching stools.
They were used as part of a project to help transform existing houses for Armed Forces veterans to be featured in the BBC One two-part programme DIY SOS: The Big Build: Homes for Veterans.
The project was completed at the end of September, but will be shown on TV next week.
Hundreds of volunteers worked into the early hours of the morning to complete the big build.
A total of 62 homes were transformed, with a further three larger homes created to house veterans and their families, as well as one standard size property and a walk-in support centre. Mr Perry, of 101 furniture, explained how keen he was to help when the DIY SOS team contacted them. He said: "We were approached late into the project on the off-chance we could help supply some garden furniture.
"The garden was being designed and project managed by Adam Frost, winner of seven consecutive RHS Chelsea Flower Show medals, so we pulled out all the stops, working 18-hour days to deliver a pallet full of tables, stools and benches ready for the reveal day of the special.
"After travelling to India to volunteer as an English teacher last year, you learn more about yourself and come back more willing to help others," he added.
"It was fantastic to be on-site for the launch, meeting the team and some of the veterans and expressing our appreciation for everything they have done."
101 Furniture, which was inspired by an idea Mr Wood had, now have a local unit on Crescent Avenue in Brierley Hill and employ two people.
Viewers can see the finished project on October 14 and 21 on BBC1, both episodes from 8pm.
