Builder joins DIY SOS in honour of business partner

A builder said he felt compelled to take part in this year's DIY SOS project following the death of his business partner.

Nick Knowles and his team have planned a 10-day build at The Joshua Tree charity in Northwich in September for BBC Children in Need.

Congleton builder Chris Price will assist the team voluntarily to honour his friend Mike Braithwaite, with whom he founded his firm.

"He died when he was 23 from cancer. It seemed like a fitting thing to do to come and support a cancer charity," he said.

Mike Braithwaite, left, and Chris Price, right, founded their building firm together in 2005

The Joshua Tree has facilities to host families affected by childhood cancers.

Nick Knowles told BBC Radio Stoke the planned 400m² facility would double the number of children the charity supports.

Mr Price joined almost 200 tradespeople by signing up to help the DIY SOS team at their trades day on Thursday.

The project hit a chord with him, having watched his friend and colleague go through testicular, lung and liver cancer.

Mr Price said the project was the sort of build Mr Braithwaite would have relished.

"I think he'd be quietly pleased that we've taken part."

Nick Copeland said he was excited to get started on the project

Fellow tradesman Nick Copeland lost his mum to cancer and his wife has also fought it.

The Sandbach electrician signed up to install the fire alarm system on the final day of the build.

"Some people get [cancer] really young [and] they're the ones that really suffer," said Mr Copeland.

"Therefore [I'll do] whatever I can do, using my skills to benefit the children and the families that come here."

The build is scheduled to begin on 2 September and the episode will be broadcast during the BBC Children in Need appeal week in November.