A team of big-hearted builders joined forces to adapt the home of a 10-year-old boy for free.
The generous tradesmen stepped up to help Luke Mortimer, who became a quad-amputee after contracting meningococcal meningitis.
The severe bacterial infection quickly spread around his body.
When Luke was diagnosed in 2019, he lost 50% of his skin and spent five months in hospital.
After leaving, he moved into a bungalow with his dad, Adam Mortimer, who reached out to the charity Band of Builders to help him with adapting the home to suit Luke’s needs.
The team took on Luke’s project and so far, have fitted a new shower room, underfloor heating and new wooden flooring.
Adam praised the charity for their support, calling it ‘amazing’.
He said: ‘The build has helped us immensely – it has got the house to the place we need it to be for Luke to be able to have what he needs at home.
‘Luke is ecstatic that his room is now boarded and plastered and is planning the colour scheme of his room.
‘[He], as usual, charmed all the builders and has taken everything in his slightly smaller stride.’
Luke, previously a keen rugby player for Skipton RFC in North Yorkshire, was just seven when he became poorly with the bacterial infection.
Doctors found he had life-threatening septicemia, also known as blood poisoning.
Luke needed 23 painful surgeries over a ten-week period to replace missing skin and address his wounds.
Writing a the time of the incident John Firth, a family friend who set up a donation page for him, said: ‘Luke was a budding 7-year-old rugby player, a bundle of joy who even at a young age had embraced life and every day was a happy day.
‘His whole family was part of the rugby community, with his dad coaching many age-grade youngsters and his mum, running a children’s rugby kit recycling stall, so that the young boys and girls, always had the right gear to play and train in.
‘However, whilst the rest of us were buying and wrapping presents ready for Christmas, the family’s life was turned upside down.
‘On the 13th Dec 2019, Luke fell ill with Meningococcal Meningitis.
‘Luke’s young life was saved, however, the disease has taken its toll on his little body.
‘He has proven he is a fighter, however, his life and the life of his mum, dad and his big brother will never be the same.’
Over the next few years, Luke endured endless sessions of physiotherapy and rehabilitation – while still managing to smile through it all.
He later learned to walk – and run – on prosthetic legs.
And thanks to fundraising and donations, he also received his first robotic ‘hero’ arms so he could do more for himself.
The Bungalow where Luke now lives was previously adapted for a man who was paralysed from the waist down.
It’s expected that the work by Band of Builders, but Luke said he was overwhelmed by the progress that the team had made in just a few days.
Thanking the builders all for their hard work, Adam said: ‘I can’t believe how fast things have happened, I am looking forward to thanking and hugging everyone at the end.
‘The Band of Builders have been absolutely amazing! Giving up their time and working long hours to keep the project on track.’
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