DIYWEEK.net

Travis Perkins Group, supplier of building materials, is supporting key customer Miller Homes with its commitment to Habitat for Humanity Great Britain by sending representative, Gemma Black, who is Inventory Manager for BSS, to help build new homes for orphans and vulnerable children in Malawi. 

BSS, which is the UK’s market-leading distributor of pipeline and heating solutions and part of Travis Perkins, nominated Ms Black to travel to Salima in Malawi to help build up to three 'Habitat Homes' there as part of a trip organised by Travis Perkins customer, Miller Homes, and Habitat for Humanity GB; a global charity focused on long-term poverty alleviation through affordable social housing. 

Ms Black is joining 17 other Miller Homes colleagues and partner representatives, and be in Malawi until 23rd June, Ms Black said: “I’m preparing myself for working in 26 degree heat, on anything from bricklaying, to mixing matope, moving bricks and fetching water. This build will certainly be very different to our day jobs! Luckily in the team there are a few bricklayers joining us! I’ve been advised to bring energy tablets and pain relief to compensate for what will be a tough week of heavy lifting!”

“We will also be joining in with local activities; playing games with the children and sharing stories, and getting to know the families we are building the homes for. I’m extremely grateful for this once in a lifetime opportunity to hopefully make a positive difference to people's lives,” she continued.

Sustainability director for Miller Homes, Garry McDonald, said: "We have a fantastic team joining us on this trip, and I am so proud of my suppliers for their enthusiasm and commitment to taking part in this initiative and supporting Habitat for Humanity, so we can work together to make a real difference to some of those who need it most."

Sales director for Travis Perkins, Mark Newman, who is in charge of the Group’s Miller Homes partnership, added: "We are proud to support Miller Homes and Habitat for Humanity to help transform the lives of some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in the world, which is very much p[art of our Cornerstones here at Travis Perkins. I’m confident Gemma will give it her all! She is a great ambassador for our Group and I’m positive it will be a life changing experience for her.”

"We are extremely grateful for Miller Homes' ongoing support and also delighted that their partners are getting behind their goals this year for Habitat for Humanity. It's difficult to imagine the hardships that many of those we support face on a daily basis and this pledge to build new homes and fund vital facilities, which many of us take for granted, will have a massive impact on both the families and the wider community,” concluded Habitat for Humanity’s GB Chief Executive, Tum Kazunga.
 
You can keep up with Gemma’s experience across the Travis Perkins social media channels, including Twitter Facebook and Instagram.