Nelson company donate £10,000-worth of materials to help house British war veterans

The Sovereign Group, which is based in Nelson, donated 13 doors to a project to transform 62 derelict properties in East Manchester to create homes and a support centre for war veterans.

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The project was part of the BBC’s DIY SOS Veteran Special which featured Princes William and Harry.

Sovereign Group managing director Frances Austin said she was delighted to take part in the project after being contacted by presenter Nick Knowles.

Mrs Austin said: “Nick Knowles contacted me and my business partner John Hall to see if we could help with the project and we were happy to say yes. Everybody has got to do something to help these sort of causes.

“We all need to do our bit. Although it’s huge amount of money from a business of our size we’re helping people who are working to keep us safe.”

Mrs Austin said the company, which is one of the UK’s largest and longest established window and door manufacturers and installers and employs 250 people, supports a number of charitable causes throughout the year, and in the past has raised money for Kidney Research UK and Pendleside Hospice.

Following the completion of the project, which also saw fitters install the doors free of charge, Mr Knowles left a personalised voicemail message for Mrs Austin thanking her for supporting it and also sent signed photographs.

Mrs Austin said: “He thanked us for the donations and he wished me a happy birthday. Nick is a really nice guy.”

Although nobody from the business will appear on the show, Mrs Austin said she will still be watching to see all the great work that has been done.

“I’m looking forward to seeing it on TV,” she added. “I have seen a few clips, and I have been to the opening days, which were attended by Prince William and Prince Harry. But it will be nice to see the full show.”

The DIY SOS Veteran Special will be broadcast in two parts on BBC One at 8pm on October 14 and 21.