Renovating Swaffham home 'ambitious and emotional' project- local charity
Mother-of-six Mrs Fletcher turned to construction charity Band of Builders for help to complete Toby's room, which needed huge changes
Last updated 3rd Aug 2025
A charity in Wisbech tells us that renovating a home in Swaffham was one of their most 'ambitious and emotional' projects.
Sarah Fletcher's son Toby requires palliative care due to quadriplegic cerebral palsy and dystonia - uncontrolled and sometimes painful muscle movements.
Toby's ground floor bedroom was an empty shell and his mother Sarah Fletcher was unable to access overnight support, she had to carry him upstairs to bed and care for him each night.
Shaun Fletcher, 44, had been working on improvements to the family home near Swaffham, Norfolk, before he took his own life last December.
Mother-of-six Mrs Fletcher turned to construction charity Band of Builders for help to complete Toby's room.
More than 150 volunteers rallied round and completed the project in 12 days, completing all renovations as well as landscaping the front and back of the house.
Addressing volunteers after they had finished the project, Mrs Fletcher said: "We can't thank you all enough; you're all superheroes.
"It's felt like we've been living on a building site for a few years, and I can't believe how much has been done to complete it in such a short space of time.
"Toby's room is incredible, and this means we can finally get overnight support for him.
"The house is amazing and a poignant legacy for Shaun, and we now have a home where my family can start to heal."
Toby was born 13 weeks premature, which resulted in a lack of oxygen to his brain and led to cerebral palsy and dystonia.
His condition affects his muscle control, leading to painful involuntary movements that make it difficult for him to gain weight.
He is also deaf and is fed directly into his bowel.
To help manage his dystonia he has a deep brain stimulator, with electrodes in his brain connected to a battery pack in his abdomen.
He requires round-the-clock care, including numerous medications throughout the day and night.
He is housebound and relies on stretcher transport for all appointments.
"What happened to this family resonates with so many members of our community"
Gavin Crane, chief executive of Band of Builders, said as many as 40 tradespeople were on site for each of the 12 days - including groundworkers, electricians, bathroom fitters, plumbers, decorators, landscapers, solar panel engineers and smart home specialists.
" Everyone who supported us - be it volunteers, businesses, suppliers of materials, and the local community who provided food and refreshment - has reminded us all what kindness looks like.
"What happened to this family resonates with so many members of our community and across the construction industry.
"Grief, pressure and mental health concerns are all things we understand too well.
"We hope that in finishing what Shaun started, we've done him proud and that wherever he is, he knows his family is now safe in a completed home surrounded by the love and empathy of some amazing people."
Tim Winstanley, senior brand manager at Dewalt, which sponsored the project, said everyone was "deeply moved by the compassion and dedication shown by every volunteer".