Jewson has revealed the five finalists in its Trade Hero category of Building Better Communities awards. After being selected by a panel of industry judges, the shortlist now needs public votes to be in with a chance of winning up to £50,000 in building materials.

The finalists include a range of construction trades who have been nominated due to their ongoing support for local community projects or, following a change in life circumstances, now need a helping hand. The five Trade Heroes are: Steve Dixon, site engineer surveyor; Aaron Pearson, plasterer; Stephen Keenan, co-founder and director of Happy Days Building and Roofing Company; John Simkins, builder and David Lloyd, floor layer.  

To go forward in the competition, the shortlisted Trade Heroes now need votes as the prizes will be allocated based on the results of the public vote, as well as recommendations from an industry judging panel. The public need to act quickly however as voting closes on Wednesday 20th June.

Managing director at Jewson, Thierry Dufour explained: “We know that up and down the country tradespeople are going the extra mile to make a difference in their community. For 2018, we’ve increased the funding available to these local trade heroes, and also opened the category to entries from tradespeople who have found themselves in times of need. The shortlist is just an example of very deserving causes, which is why we’re asking members of the public to get behind the finalists and vote.”

Building Better Communities rewards both community projects and heroes of the building trade. After launching the Trade Hero category in 2017, Jewson is giving more to the trade this year with £100,000 of the total fund put aside to support those in the industry. A further £150,000 of the fund will be awarded to community groups in need of support.

The winning projects will be announced on Tuesday 3rd July at a ceremony hosted by celebrity architect, George Clarke.

George Clarke, who is involved in Building Better Communities for the second year running, said: “The funds donated as part of the Building Better Communities initiative have already made a huge difference to local charities and community groups, and can do the same for these tradespeople. The shortlist is made up of very deserving people and it’s an honour to be supporting them.”

Voting closes on Wednesday 20th June. The initiative is being supported by Jewson supplier brands: Velux; Marshalls, Polypipe; British Gypsum; Tarmac; Recticel and Norbord.

For a full list of finalists and to vote, visit: www.buildingbettercommunities.co.uk.