Mum thanks builders for fulfilling husband's legacy

A mother-of-six whose husband died while renovating their home to help their disabled son said she was "so thankful" to volunteers who will complete the work.

Sarah Fletcher, 46, who lives in Foulden, Norfolk, said her husband Shaun kept his mental health issues hidden before he took his own life on Christmas Eve.

The charity Band of Builders, based in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, will finish the downstairs bedroom and wet room for her 16-year-old son Toby, who has cerebral palsy.

"I'm so thankful to them and I feel like it is Shaun's legacy. I want to finish what he started. I know that is what he would want for all of us and especially for Toby," she said.

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Shaun Fletcher was an electrician and worked seven days a week to provide for his six children and two grandchildren.

He was renovating the family home in his spare time and was "stressed and very busy", his wife said.

But there were no real signs of how much he was struggling, she added, and they had been Christmas shopping the night before.

"He seemed happy and normal. I had no idea that would happen.

"I would really like to raise awareness of male suicide and encourage people to open up, don't hold it in, because I don't want any other family to go through this," she said.

Her friend told her about Band of Builders, which supports construction workers and their families.

The charity, which also offers mental health support to construction workers, agreed to take on the work, as its 45th building project.

It had a record-breaking response to an appeal for volunteers, with 150 tradesmen and women coming forward to work on the house next month.

Retired bricklayer Tony Everett will volunteer on the build, which is the 12th project he has helped with. He said the family's story had touched people's hearts.

"It means a lot knowing I can help in some way and change people's lives."

Mrs Fletcher said the work would make a huge difference to her family.

"Toby has been sharing a room with me and I have to carry him upstairs so it will be brilliant for him to have his own downstairs room and it means I can have overnight carers," she said.

"The amount of people who want to help and the support is overwhelming really. It is truly amazing."

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