Volunteers to build downstairs bedroom for Thatcham father with incurable cancer

A Thatcham mother has expressed her gratitude to those who helped her and her husband though a tough cancer diagnosis.

Father-of-two Matt was 42 when he was told he had metastatic renal cell carcinoma, which is incurable for him, in June 2022.

His wife Claire said the diagnosis came shortly after the couple lost both their fathers, Matt’s in August 2021 and hers January 2022. Claire then lost her uncle to the same form of cancer as Matt in September.

She said: “Alongside this I lost my job due to not being able to work and still being on probation.

“One of my previous jobs was as an occupational therapy assistant at West Berks Hospital, so I had a bit of an understanding as to what could be needed practically if things took a turn for the worse and downstairs living was one of them.”

The couple, who didn't wish to be photographed for privacy reasons, decided they would convert their garage into a downstairs bedroom but were met with obstacles – planning permission and building regulations which would come at a cost.

Claire said: “I tried doing the application on my own but needed an architect and couldn't afford thousands to pay for one.

“To keep costs down, I was aiming to get the equipment I needed and source different tradesman but this became far too stressful.

“I was juggling a young family, helping Matt, had numerous trips to the hospital and trying to do probate for my uncle.

“It was breaking me.”

The couple recently found out immunotherapy hasn’t worked for Matt. He’s now being given targeted therapy.

Wash Common man Jordan Reimnitz, who is an architectural technician in addition to his day job, came forward to look at the plans for free as well as the building conditional drawing.

Mr Reimnitz, 28, who has been in architecture for 7 years said it felt "incredible" to be able to offer the family his service for free.

"Simply put, it seems to be bad things happen to good people," he said.

"My partner had seen [Claire's] post on Facebook. I said please let her know that I would do it no cost.

"Like most people, my time is valuable but I could give it to her for free."

Builder Nick Openshaw also offered his services for free and structural engineers at Simplify Engineering lent their services in designing the lintel and foundations as well as helping with tax and forms.

Mr Openshaw, who met with Claire just days before Christmas to see the garage, said the gesture was simply a case of “right place at the right time”.

The Newbury man, who has been a builder since he was 16, was referred to the couple via Facebook where he says his services are often recommended.

“Matt said to me 'why are you doing this' and I said I don’t know. It was just the right place at the right time, it’s Christmas,” he said.

“It’s just sad isn’t it? It is sad for them. I have had friends who have died from cancer and it is sad.

“I said [to Claire] don’t stress. Don’t stress about anything I will deal with all of it. And my friends said to me 'if you’re in then I’m in'.”

Mr Openshaw, who also owns gym Body Bionics in Thatcham, added: “Years ago people used to help everyone out and if there were more people like us the world would be a better place.”

Associate director at Simplify Engineering Stephan Swatman, who has been in structural engineering for seven years, said: “It is always rewarding because we do a fair number of jobs for people who are disadvantaged or are doing house renovations to help them care for a loved one.

“Because we have done that a fair few times I also helped towards getting tax back on the renovation and helped with all the forms that the council don’t make obvious.

“It makes you feel good when you’re doing something that helps someone else.”

Claire also thanked charities Newbury Cancer Care, which provided the couple with a small grant to help costs, and Thatcham Support and Welfare Society, which paid for a shed to house the children’s bikes.

Work is hoped to begin this month (January).