'It's nice to give back' high profile Laois helpers on RTÉ DIY SOS episode
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Katelyn Cummins back in her electrician gear for DIY SOS episode with more big help from Emo family business
There is a big Laois streak of support in the final episode of RTÉ’s DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland.
Former Laois Rose of Tralee and Dancing with the Stars winner Katelyn Cummins, along with Laois family business Finline Furniture, pulled out the stops to help an Offaly family in crisis.
The Hartes in Walsh Island near Portarlington have three young children all with Autism but their cold, damp house needed an overhaul to make it safe and future proof for the family.
Katelyn was out of the sequins and back in the hard hat and high vis, to help wire the house for the deserving family.
“I’m a sparks, can you tell?,” she jokes to presenter Baz Ashmawy.
She tells him she’s attended 290 events in 365 days, in her groundbreaking role as Rose of Tralee, where she has led a surge of young women applying for apprenticeship jobs.
“It’s nice to give back to the community after they’ve done so much for me as well in the past year,” Katelyn said.
An apprentice with Alpha Drives in the National Enterprise Park in Portlaoise, Katelyn volunteered with the team on the first and second fix of the house renovation.
Meanwhile Finline Furniture in Emo gave an incredible donation worth thousands of euros.
The family owned company donated several items of handmade furniture built to last.
“We were delighted to support RTÉ's DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland, which aired on Sunday, 25th October, by donating furniture to the Harte family in Walsh Island, Co. Offaly.
“Led by Baz Ashmawy, an incredible team of tradespeople, volunteers and local businesses came together over just nine days to create a home better suited to the needs of Damien, Hazel and their three children.
“As an Irish furniture manufacturer based in Emo, Co. Laois, it was particularly meaningful for us to contribute to a project in our neighbouring county and to see so many people generously giving their time and skills to support a local family.
“A huge congratulations to everyone involved in bringing this project to life. We are proud to have played a small part and wish the Harte family many happy years in their new home,” Finline Furniture said.
Other Laois businesses lent a hand too, including Kirby Group Engineering, Eddies Hotpot, Flowers by Yvonne, Laois Hire, Lidl Portarlington and The Old Canal.
Watch the full episode on RTÉ Player.