A TEAM of builders and handymen are carrying out free repairs and installation of ramps to homes of families of children with disabilities.

Pete Scott from Whitecliff in Poole, who has created the AIM Altruistic Builders, said that he has recruited around 20 trusted painters, carpenters, builders and various tradespeople to help add in much-needed features such as wheelchair ramps or built-in storage to properties.

All the work is carried out in the team's spare time and Pete says that they have more requests from families of children with complex additional needs or life-limiting illnesses than they can currently fulfill.

He is currently looking for extra people to join the team as they are 'snowed under' with work for the currently 'small' team of people.

Pete said that the DIY SOS-style project came to him while watching The Secret Millionaire on TV.

He said that he realised that while he didn't have the money to buy needy families things, he did have the skills to help them with small to medium projects, but the team cannot take on building extensions or large projects.

He said that some of the charities the team are working with include Barnado's, Amelia's Rainbow, The Isobel Baker Foundation and Julia's House children's hospice.

"Quite often the families are living in a house which is not ideal for their child's needs. They need things such as a ramp from the garden for children in wheelchairs, astroturf, walls being put up or taken down.

"There is a lot of funding out there for adaptations, but for the smaller projects, the families are made to jump through hoops.

"If we can take away that worry about the funding, then we want to do that."

All the families have to pay for, he said, is the materials and Pete says that the families can make use of their trade discount to purchase the things at the cheapest possible price.

He said: "It is an amazing thing that we are doing and every time I get an email from a family, it hits me right between the eyes. Then you meet the families and see how much they appreciate the help.

"Most people take everything for granted, but with these families, they are not getting enough support."

For more information, on the group, email Pete@altruisticbuilders.co.uk