In October, PHAM News published an interview with Warriors of Warmth (WOW) founder Jonathon Hallam uncovering his good works through the organisation that delivers free plumbing and heating services for community charities. Here we return to look at the latest project carried out by Jonathon and his cohorts at a homeless shelter in Windsor, with a little help from Stelrad Radiators.
The Warriors of Warmth (WOW) has completed its latest charity installation project that saw an army of volunteers from the plumbing and heating industry transform a derelict hall in Windsor into a centre for the homeless and a food bank to help the local community.
Led by Nottinghamshire based installer Jonathon Hallam, the initiative also relied on donations from manufacturers for materials, and Stelrad stepped in to donate a dozen radiators from the Compact product range.
The main hall in the building with work underway
When it finally opens, the Windsor facility will offer a day centre for breakfast and lunch, healthcare facilities including access to visiting GPs and nurses, a chiropodist, a hairdresser, professional advisors for mental health, life rebuilding advice from the probation services, as well as housing and tenancy advice, on-line skills, and jobs advice.
The heating system that used to serve the building didn’t meet regulations, so it had to be stripped out and completely replaced. The new one installed by Jonathon and his team will need to not only keep guests warm, but also provide large quantities of hot water for showers and catering. Jonathon set about asking a number of manufacturers to give generously and supply the components required to provide a quality heating system for the renovated building.
Radiators to the rescue
“We were asked by Warriors of Warmth if we could support their activities on this project,” says marketing communications manager at Stelrad, Sarah Baker. “We have helped out with a couple of smaller projects for them in the past and this seemed like a really worthwhile one to be involved with, so we were pleased to be able to offer the Compacts to Jonathon and his team.”
Commenting on the crucial role manufacturers play in the WOW, Jonathon says: “The big thing for these projects is equipment donation – we can find installers willing to do their bit – we put out pleas for support via social media and usually get a really good response – but we need the equipment to install and that is where the kindness and generosity of people like the team at Stelrad is vital to allow us to do this work,” he says.
John Cruickshank working on the installation
Amongst the team of installers helping Jonathon out on this install was winner of the last Installer of the Year Award – John Cruickshank. John says: “I was delighted to have been recognised as the Best Heating Installer 2022. It was such an honour and has been a great boost for my business in South London. When I saw Jonathon was putting together a team for this project I had to be a part of it.
“I know the people from Stelrad well as they were one of the sponsors of the Heating Installer Awards, and I was not surprised to hear that they were contributing to the success of the project. It all fits in with the kindness of people in this great industry in which we work.”
Jonathon has built up an impressive team of installers from around the country, willing to give their time for free. But he’s also supporting young learners of the trade, bringing a minibus full of plumbing and heating apprentices from his local college with him on each project, giving them valuable experience. They also get some free tools and a certificate to show they are committed to the cause.
Stelrad Compact radiators being installed
