Landscaper Simon Taylor had started redecorating his house in Thatcham, Berkshire, where he lived with his fiancée Debi Richens.

But in 2023, he was registered as sight-impaired after noticing that the vision in his right eye had become blurry.

Forced to give up his business and unable to continue with redecorating, construction charity Band of Builders stepped in to finish the project.

Shortly after December 2022, Mr Taylor was diagnosed with a macular hole, followed by retinal detachment.

He has since lost sight in his right eye, and the vision in his left eye is down to about 30%.

Despite an entire order book and plans to expand his landscaping business, he never worked again.

The hall, stairs and landing in the couple's home were also left unfinished, with walls rubbed down and dents caked with plaster filler.

Richens, his partner, said it was "breaking his heart" that it was unsafe for him to continue the project.

He contacted Band of Builders for help. Project manager Ben Russell met with the couple and discussed what needed to be done to the house.

Russell said: "We're very proud to work... but if you have to stop work for whatever reason and it's taken away from you, I think mentally that can be quite challenging.”

The volunteers started work after appealing to local builders and companies willing to donate their time or materials.

The work, which involved finishing the decorating and hanging new doors upstairs, took four days, five builders and cost £2,600.

Taylor had been overwhelmed by the gesture, Richens added. "The sheer kindness and thoughtfulness and passion just blew him away."