McGee Project Manager, Will James is set to fly out to Cape Town in South Africa later this year to volunteer to join the renowned “Building Blitz 2019” construction project.

Coordinated by Mellon Educate – an Irish charity whose mission it is to provide better standards of education to 100,000 children in Africa – Will and fellow volunteers will travel to the Mfuleni Township to work on 2 school projects where they will construct 10 classrooms with bathroom facilities, toilet blocks, playgrounds, covered shelters, and a sports field.

Taking place 16-23 November, the Building Blitz is an arduous undertaking. It’s no holiday in the sun! What’s more, fundraising to travel and support the construction project is a colossal challenge before volunteers even set foot on African soil.

McGee is therefore pleased to back Will on this challenge by providing the required £4,000 sponsorship.  Taking it one step further, Will has pledged to personally raise an additional £2,000 which will further support the charity’s vital work.

Along with this year’s volunteers, the legacy of Will’s skilled labour and long days of heavy lifting in the heat of the African sun will equip the next generation of Africa’s children with the essential tool for life; Education.

Will James, who has worked at McGee for five years project managing complex demolition projects across the Capital, said:

“This is a one-week opportunity of a lifetime to meet like-minded people from all walks of life who genuinely want to make a difference. I am extremely grateful to the McGee brothers, Brian, Michael and John for sponsoring me to make this trip to Cape Town.  Their generous donation will help make a big impact on the future education of African children.

“I’m looking forward to a busy week of building.  To complete the new education facilities in just one week will be a great achievement to all those involved. I’m sure there will be a great team spirit during the blitz and I’m keen to get back on the tools and do some physical work as I’m normally stuck in the site office!”

Every year, Mellon Educate organises their Building Blitz trip to Africa for volunteers from all over the world to lend a helping hand building better infrastructure in poor African communities.

To date, the charity has built 16 new schools and renovated many more, providing over 10,000 young children with a better chance at life.

Close to 25,000 people from Ireland, South Africa, the UK, and the US have volunteered since 2003. Many have done so repeatedly after being bitten by the blitz bug!

Founded in 2002, Mellon Educate is an Irish-based African development charity founded by developer and philanthropist, Niall Mellon, and was established as a charitable company in 2004.

McGee wishes Will and all the Building Blitz volunteers the best of luck as they prepare for the trip of a lifetime and help to build a better future for those most in need.