A former Sheffield United football player is heading up a project to renovate a city church.
Footballer-turned-builder Phil Starbuck, aged 45, will help transform Spa View Community Church in Hackenthorpe.
He hopes to follow a similar format to popular property-makeover TV series DIY SOS by attracting tradesmen and women and the community to get involved.
Some of the materials have been donated from building companies and people have already volunteered to help out – but more are still needed.
The week-long project will see the church house, which is attached to the main building and has been used as an office for 18 years, turned back into a family home.
Church leaders Chris and Shan Jeavons will move into the house with their daughter Grace and become community pastors.
Chris said: “Moving into the area will help show people we can relate to where they are at. We want to be able to get involved with people’s lives and support them in whatever way we can.”
The building work, which begins on Monday, July 7, is part of a week-long series of activities aimed at bringing the community together.
Phil is also bringing along a team of former professional footballers, including ex-Sheffield Wednesday player Michael Johnson, to compete in a six-a-side competition at Westfield Sports Centre in nearby Sothall as part of a series of events in aid of Sheffield Children’s Hospital.
There will also be a community fun day at the church on Saturday, July 12, where people can see the finished renovation.
Anyone wanting to donate time or materials is asked to contact Chris on 07899 906489.
What’s on
July 7-12, 9am-6pm – DIY SOS Building Project, Spa View Community Church
Spa View Road, Hackenthorpe;
July 7, 6.30pm-8.30pm – Charity football tournament, Westfield Sports Centre, Sothall;
July 8, 7pm-9pm – Philippa Hanna Gig Night, Spa View Community Church;
July 9, 6.30pm-8.30pm – Battle of the Bands, Spa View Community Church;
July 10, 7pm-9pm – Question of Sport with Michael Johnson, Spa View Community Church;
July 12, 11am-3pm: Community open day, Spa View Community Church;
July 13, 10.30am: Celebration service, Spa View Community Church. Sheffield Star.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0211rbm (1 hour 21 minutes in.)
