DIY SOS in Telford: We're all more than happy to do our bit for Matthew Cooper, say volunteers

Hundreds of tradesmen and women have come forward to help with the DIY SOS Big Build, which will transform the Trench Home of Matthew Cooper.

And businesses from all over the West Midlands have stepped in to help.

Speaking at a trades day held at Matthew's home this week, Mark Millar of the DIY SOS team said one of the big problems they have on the nine-day build is the bricklaying.

And staff at JPJ Brickwork in Bridgnorth have stepped forward to ease some of that burden, providing a load of bricks and their services.

Paul Milner from the company said: "It is good to help people and it is nice to give something back.

"I'm in a position now where I can lose a hundred quid or so for a day."

Also on site on the trades day was Wrockwardine Wood Junior School headteacher Julie Henry.

The school was behind the initial launch of the fundraising campaign which has, to date, raised more than £52,000.

She applied back in 2015 for DIY SOS to come and help with the build.

But in February they were told that it was unlikely.

It wasn't until November that they were told that the BBC team would be on board.

She said: "We can't quite believe it. When I think back to 2015 when I filled off the application, little did I know we'd be here. Out of something very tragic, some good has come out of it. Gabrielle Blackman was the designer I was really hoping for too.

"Back in February, when we didn't think we were going to get DIY SOS, we put together our own little team of people who might be able to do the work.

"They're now the first ones that the team have got in contact with to help with the build.

"Matthew's parents are absolutely stunned.

His mum, Sue keeps saying 'Why us'?" On site at the trades day was Sarah Giles from Passiflora. Based in Penkridge, the company already does a lot of gardening work in Telford. She had heard about Matthew's story and when she saw the plea for help she got in contact.

She said: "I'm quite good with a shovel and said if there was any way I could help out to let me know.

"I had a call from the team saying they had seen my website and my portfolio and they liked my design work."

Sarah said she has planned the garden to be wheelchair accessible and it will feature lots of sensory plants which it is hoped will help Matthew's ongoing treatment.

She said: "To be part of something which will help this family and might help them have something like a normal life will be incredible. I don't know how it will all get done in nine days. I'm terrified."

Emerys on Stafford Park in Telford have supplied all of the blocks and beams that have been used in the foundation work done at the property up until now.

Peter Hoof and Tony Walker from the company were on site yesterday to see what help they can offer in the future.

They said that, to date, the materials they have supplied have likely cost about £1,700.

Tony said: "We saw the appeal on Facebook and a lot of the wives saw it and wanted us to get involved."

Mr Hoof said: "It is all for a really good cause. It is going to be a fairly big challenge, looking at it, it will need a lot of people to get it done in time."

Matthew has been cared for at Birmingham Children's Hospital since August 2015 after he was diagnosed with brain and spinal cancer.

After more than a year in hospital, Matthew has finished his chemotherapy.