Swindon community transform woman's mouldy bungalow

19 December 2023

Janey DoyleBBC Radio Wiltshire

News image — Rotten floors in the bungalow have been replaced

BBC The rotten living room floor and the new flooring — Rotten floors in the bungalow have been replaced

A mouldy damp-ridden bungalow has been transformed thanks to the "goodwill" of volunteers.

A 75-year-old woman was living in the cold, rat-infested Swindon home, when a friend realised her situation.

The local community and trades people gave their services for free when they read her story online.

A month on, Brendan O'Neill, who organised the transformation, said the work was worth about £120,000.

Damp expert Brendan O'Neill — Brendan O'Neill said the goodwill shown had been unbelievable

Every floor and ceiling had been removed and replaced, along with a new kitchen and bathrooms.

Mr O'Neill said: "The goodwill we've had has been unbelievable, we've had over 100 people working in this house at one point or another - and some of them for quite a long time.

"So you can't be thankful enough."

'Mini DIY SOS'

Becky Weston, a gas engineer, offered to help after seeing the story on social media and, as well a replacing a leaking boiler, she "begged for a kitchen" to be supplied and fitted for free.

Ms Weston said: "When they came out the guy fell through the floor in the kitchen and at that point I thought 'oh no I'm not going to get my kitchen for the property any more', but he agreed that the property needed it."

Ms Weston said she had been amazed at the interest in the story on social media.

She added: "Nick Knowles got in touch at the little mini DIY SOS build popping up.

"I was a little bit fan-girl struck by it."

It had been hoped that the bungalow would be finished by Christmas, but the scale of what needed to be done has grown, meaning it will not be finished until January.

Sandra Kennelly A mouldy bed — The pensioner had been living with mould for many years before seeking help

The pensioner, who has moved out while the house is worked on, saw it for the first time at the weekend, with Mr O'Neill describing her visit to her home as "quite emotional".

He added: "She was overwhelmed, you could see it, and she understands that it's going to take a little bit longer to finish, but she's ok with that because we've promised to give her a proper home that she deserves."