Concrete offer
Reporter: HELEN KORN
Date published: 28 March 2011
GETTING down to work . . . student Mohammed Touqeer Jamil (left), who had the idea to help, with tutor Rob Frier, and fellow students Scott Cameron and Shane McDaid, Stephen Bridgehouse and his dad, Herbert
Students to the rescue after driveway sting
STUDENTS have come to the aid of a Royton man who lost £650 to bogus builders.
Stephen Bridgehouse, of Brantwood Close, wanted part of his drive to be relaid and left his 87-year-old father keeping an eye on things while he was at work.
But the builders deceived the pensioner, forcing him to hand over £650 in advance of the work — more than twice the price agreed — before scarpering with the cash.
Generous Oldham College BTEC students, aged 16 to 19, who read about the incident in the Chronicle, asked their tutor Rob Frier if they could help.
Mr Frier said: “I thought was a really nice idea. The students went straight round there and the college said it would provide the materials and labour for free. It was great experience for them and they felt really good about doing it. They’ve already completed groundworks in the college and have recently built a garden. They’re also working on bricklaying at Christ Church School in Chadderton so all these experiences are proving beneficial.”
When Stephen was asked if he would like the students to complete his driveway, he said he was “over the moon.”
He added: “I’m really touched by their generosity — I really am. It just goes to show there are kind people out there.
“They’ve done a great job.
“Thanks to them and thanks to the Chronicle —as they wouldn’t have known about it otherwise.”
He explained that after his father’s ordeal — where he was tricked for a second time when bogus water board officials got into his home, he had received help from Oldham Council.
He added: “The community safety department has been brilliant - they’ve set my dad up with an intercom so he doesn’t even have to answer the door if he doesn’t want to.”
pic cap...About to start work, Oldham College student Mohammed Touqeer Jamil (left), who had the idea to help Stephen after he was conned out of £650 by bogus builders, pictured with his tutor Rob Frier, and fellow students Scott Cameron and Shane McDaid, Stephen Brighouse (drive owner) and his dad, Herbert Bridgehouse.
