In January, Gerard Donaghy from County Down, Northern Ireland, sent out an “SOS” on social media.
“We need your help!” Donaghy wrote on Facebook. “We’re looking for a building that serves the community and truly deserves this support — this could be a special needs school or support service, a community centre, a homeless charity, a mental health organization, or perhaps someone who is making a real difference in people’s lives.”
Donaghy runs Paintworks NI with his wife Danielle. The contractors originally started the business as an academy for rising painters and a way to network with other interior decorators across the country.
Now, they’re using their platform to find buildings in the community in need of renovation and help them out — for free.
The latest nominee? Helping Hands Autism Resource Centre in Dundonald.
So Donaghy put out a call again, this time for volunteers to help with their “Paint It Forward” event to help renovate the family center.
“What's it all about? It's about bringing together as many awesome decorators as I can to show support for a local charity that gets no support,” the father of two said in a Facebook video two weeks before the renovation.
“It's about having fun. It's about letting them see that we see them. As a dad of a disabled child, when you see the good that these people do day in and day out, it's just inspiring.”
“I have several nieces and nephews with autism, and everybody, I’m sure, knows somebody with autism,” Donaghy added. “It's nearly forgotten about. There's not enough help out there. But anyway, it's going to hopefully help that awesome group of people up there who are supporting young kids and families.”
Donaghy said that several local businesses had already donated a bevy of supplies to the cause.
“Check that out,” he said, gesturing to piles and piles of equipment. “We've got scuttles. We've got the wee magnetic brush holders, we have brushes, wee arms, sandpapers, plat … it's just unreal.”
All they needed was volunteers.
“Whenever everybody comes together, that's when the change happens,” Donaghy said. “Cheesy, maybe as that might sound, but it's genuine. I can't do it by myself.”
On June 28, the day of the event, a total of 50 professional painters heeded the call and showed up to help.
Marco Santos, who owns a painting and decorating business in County Tyrone, told BBC News Northern Ireland that he was blown away by the turnout.
“It shows what we can do when we get together; we can all give back to the community,” he said.
“I never told Gerard,” he confided, “but I only expected about 10 to 15 people to show up. But to see this amount of people from all over Northern Ireland turn out to do something good is class.”
Donaghy agreed: “You don't have to look far to find bad news these days — it can weigh you down — but something like this reminds you that there's still plenty of good out there.”
Together, the team gave the exterior a fresh coat of paint — as well as an inviting rainbow. The inside walls, which had been left blank, were given big splashes of color.
“I walked into their space and saw what they were trying to do, and I just knew we could help make it better,” Gerard said.
“A coat of paint might not seem like much to some, but when it's done with care and pride, it changes how a place feels — and that's what these families deserve.”
Caroline Birch, the chairperson of Helping Hands, couldn’t agree more.
“It means the world to our family members and the local community as well,” Birch said. “We are absolutely delighted that Gerard and all the other guys have generously volunteered their time, equipment, and expertise to support our charity by redecorating our premises.”
“The makeover will create a brighter, more welcoming space for the children and families that Helping Hands supports every day.”
On July 2, Paintworks Northern Ireland shared photos of the Helping Hands transformation.
“One more big, massive THANK YOU to the amazing people who made Saturday possible!” Donaghy wrote, tagging the many sponsors and volunteer decorators for their time and donations.
“What a day!” replied a volunteer painter at Whites Decoraters. “Keep up the good work.”
“Great day, good people, and for a great cause,” another volunteer from TopCoat Painting Contractors Limited responded.
“Exceptional day was had by all,” added a third volunteer, Trevor Gill. “Great to be a small part of a super team…a special thanks to Gerard for making me [feel] so welcome. Good luck to all the staff and families at Helping Hands.”
Since the last “Paint It Forward” event, Gerard said his inbox has been filled with painters who are eager to help with whatever comes next.
“I'd love to see this spark something across the board,” Gerard told BBC News Northern Ireland. “Whether you're a roofer, a joiner, a landscaper, a plumber — we all have skills. If every trade gave one day a year to a cause in their community, imagine what we could do?”
Header image via Paintworks NI / RE Quinn Architects
