Band of Builders launches apprentice bursary for tools and workwear with Häfele UK

Band of Builders has launched a bursary to help young people and apprentices meet the cost of tools, protective equipment and workwear, naming Häfele UK as founding partner at its annual charity ball.

The charity said the BoB Bursary would support young people and apprentices who need help to start or continue a career in construction, with support towards essentials such as tools, personal protective equipment (PPE) and workwear.

Band of Builders described the launch as the main announcement of its Wonka-themed ball at Villa Park, the home of Aston Villa Football Club. Its advance notice had set the event for Friday 2 October 2026.

In his opening address, Gavin Crane, CEO of Band of Builders, spoke about the people behind the applications the charity receives. "People who never thought they would need a charity. People who are used to being the ones who fix things," he said.

The charity said the evening raised funds for its work supporting construction workers and their families. Fundraising included an online raffle, silent and live auctions, heads and tails and a casino, with auction lots including a £2,000 experience at The Belfry.

The awards

Seven awards were presented on the night, according to the charity.

Award	Sponsor	Winner
Individual Fundraiser Award	Tarmac Blue Circle	Matt Connah
Team Fundraiser Award	Snickers Workwear	SIG Roofing Tour De Roof
Barry Hilling Corporate Fundraiser Award	Wilson Brook Consulting	Baxi
Outstanding Contribution to Projects	CT1	Ryan Peacock
Community Impact Award	Glow-worm	Tarmac Blue Circle and Travis Perkins (joint)
Chairman's Award	None listed	Toolbank
Keith Ellick Special Recognition Award	DEWALT	Kent Taylor

Matt Connah raised £6,000 by running the London Marathon, the charity said, while the SIG Roofing team was recognised for a cycle ride from Colchester to Dortmund.

Toolbank received the Chairman's Award for what the charity called its wide-ranging support for Band of Builders and the construction community. Kent Taylor was recognised for his long-term commitment to the charity.

Baxi, which won the corporate fundraiser award, has announced its own partnership with Band of Builders on its website.

Every Merchant Matters

The ball also marked the recent launch of Every Merchant Matters, which the charity describes as an industry-wide initiative, backed by the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF), to improve mental health and wellbeing across construction.

Band of Builders said the initiative aims to give merchant staff the confidence and resources to recognise when someone may be struggling, start a conversation and point them towards appropriate support.

"This is about mobilising one of the most powerful networks our industry has and using it to look after its greatest asset," Crane said in the charity's announcement of the campaign, which was launched at the BMF Members' Day, an event the charity said was attended by more than 400 industry figures.

The associated training is a three-hour course, online or in person, which the charity said would be available to book through the BMF.

Background

Band of Builders said that in 2026 it marked its tenth anniversary and completed its 50th project. That project, announced on 5 May 2026, was a home renovation in Ipswich for builder Jay (James) House and his family, completed by volunteers in 14 days.

In a post later in May 2026, the charity said it had completed 51 major projects and that the total value of work delivered by its volunteers had passed £2m.

According to that post, a project typically involves 25 volunteers, the largest involved 86 construction workers on site, and the average delivered value, including labour and materials, is more than £40,000.

The charity grew from a first project organised by founder Addam Smith for his friend and fellow construction worker Keith Ellick, after whom the special recognition award is named. It gained charity status in England and Wales by 2019.

Band of Builders' report of the ball did not give the total raised on the night, the value of the bursary or details of how to apply.