A BUILDER has stepped in to complete work to help a terminally ill dad live out his final days at home with his family.

Peter Cross, 51, of Great Totham, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in November last year.

After undergoing surgery and chemotherapy he found out it was terminal.

Doctors at Queen’s Hospital in Romford gave him between 12 and 14 months to live in December.

Peter’s family set up fundraising pages to get a small extension built on his house in Stapler’s Heath which would house a living area, sleeping area and wet room area for Peter, for when he is no longer able to go up and down the stairs.

After wife Nicola, 41, and children Amie, 14 and James, 11 made a plea for volunteers, funds and materials to get the extension built, tradesman Chris Whittle, based in Chelmsford, has taken up the challenge of getting the entire extension complete by December 22.

Chris, who runs his own company CAW building services, had done a few day’s work for the family previously, but it was only after working on a similar project was he inspired to take on the full job.

He said: “The few days I did wasn’t enough. There is so much to still do. Having worked on a similar project only a couple of months ago via a charity called Band of Builders I was inspired by satisfaction I got from putting a smile on a dying man and his family’s face as it was more rewarding than any pay cheque I’ll ever receive.

“I decided to put a shout out on the Band of Builders page to see if anyone would be interested in helping me in completing this build without directly going through the charity itself. The response has been overwhelming.

“We’ve had huge amounts of money donated, materials donated, and most importantly time donated from various different trades.”

Chris began his work on Monday, and is hoping to have it all finished within two weeks, which includes the kitchen, porch, cloakroom, wet room and porch to totally transform the home for the family’s last Christmas together.

Chris and Peter’s family are still appealing for any more donations and volunteers to help in the final push to getting the house finished.

Nicola, Peter’s wife, said: “There’s a great deal left to do, and we have raised more money, but any more help people can offer would go so far.

“Peter is doing well, but we have very limited time left, to have this house finished for Christmas would be the greatest present we could ask for.”

A new fundraising page has been set up for Peter’s cause, which has raised more than £1,000.

To help, email Nicola at nickic975@gmail.com. To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/peter-cross.