Autism centre gets free glow up after social media SOS
Gerard Donaghy is leading the team that is transforming an autism resource centre inside and out, free of charge
- Published
"I need your help!"
When Gerard Donaghy, from Millisle, County Down, shared those words on his Facebook page, he had no idea how people would respond.
He had a vision of bringing together painters and decorators from across Northern Ireland to give a building that serves the community a much-needed glow up.
On Saturday, a resource centre for families living with autism is being given a free makeover - thanks to more than 50 volunteers.
"You don't have to look far to find bad news these days - it can weigh you down - but something like this reminds you that there's still plenty of good out there," the father of two told BBC News NI.
Some of the volunteers at the Paint It Forward event in Ballybeen estate
As well as looking for volunteers, Gerard, who runs Paintworks NI with his wife Danielle, asked for nominations for a building needing a transformation.
The successful nominee was Helping Hands Autism Resource Centre in Dundonald, on the outskirts of Belfast.
"As a dad of a daughter with additional needs, this one's personal," Gerard said.
"I walked into their space and saw what they were trying to do and I just knew we could help make it better.
"A coat of paint might not seem like much to some, but when it's done with care and pride, it changes how a place feels - and that's what these families deserve."
'Act of kindness'
Caroline Birch, chairperson of Helping Hands, said the organisation is "incredibly grateful for this act of kindness".
Rising costs and funding difficulties can be stressful for charities.
But Caroline says the transformation has lifted the atmosphere and will allow them to "truly reflect the care and inclusion we strive to provide".
Caroline Birch, from Helping Hands, says service users will benefit greatly from the revamp
"It means the world to our family members and the local community as well," she said.
"We are absolutely delighted that Gerard and all the other guys have generously volunteered their time, equipment and expertise to support our charity by redecorating our premises.
"The makeover will create a brighter, more welcoming space for the children and families that Helping Hands supports every day."
On the tools
For Darren Toner, it has been the first time he has "been on the tools" in years, after joining the trade as a 16 year old.
He works as a sales manager for a painting supplies firm, who provided items, such as brushes, rollers and surface protections for free.
Darren Toner is sales manager for Axus Decor, who provided all the painting supplies
"It was something we had to be a part of," he told BBC News NI.
"It's something that every trade could do if they get their heads together and see what they could do for a local charity."
Marco Santos owns a painting and decorating business in County Tyrone
Marco Santos admits he has been pleasantly surprised by the turn out.
"It shows what we can do when we get together, we can all give back to the community," he said.
"I never told Gerard but I only expected about 10 to 15 people to show up but to see this amount of people from all over Northern Ireland turn out to do something good is class."
Giving back and having 'the craic'
Robert Craig said there has been nothing like this in the painting industry in Northern Ireland.
"It's been amazing - I didn't think there would be as many painters showing up but it is so good to see," he said.
"I don't really know anyone here, bar maybe two or three, but it's been brilliant, everyone doing something good for the community and having the craic."
Robert Craig runs a painting and decorating firm in Belfast
Would he do it again?
"100%," he says, and he hopes other industries want to get involved in the future.
Suppliers and painters have been at the resource centre from early morning on Saturday
Paint It Forward was something Gerard said he had been thinking about for years.
"What if we could get a crowd of decorators together, just for one day, to completely transform a place that really needs it? No hoops to jump through, no funding, just people showing up and using their skills to do good."
Last year, he met the chairman of the Painting Contractors Association in the US, Nick Slavic, who told him: "It starts with one."
"That conversation was the fuel that lit the fire," he said.
"From the minute we mentioned it, people jumped on it.
'We all have skills'
"I had painters messaging saying 'Count me in', without even knowing the full details.
"Suppliers stepped up with no hesitation... They just said yes - along with loads of local businesses who are chipping in too.
"At the heart of it, it's just people wanting to be part of something positive."
"I'd love to see this spark something across the board," Gerard said.
"Whether you're a roofer, a joiner, a landscaper, a plumber, we all have skills.
"If every trade gave one day a year to a cause in their community, imagine what we could do?"