Six friends from Bromsgrove cycled 1,000 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End in 11 days in memory of builder Dick Cashmore, who died in 2020 after a long mental health battle. Their fundraising has topped £20,000 against a £16,000 target.
Cashmore’s family and friends established the Dick Cashmore Legacy Foundation to raise awareness of mental health in construction and funds for Mind. Former colleague Connor Franklin said stigma and a culture of men being expected to “get on with” the job can make it hard for construction workers to discuss their feelings.
Kelly Taylor of Band of Builders said about two construction workers in the UK took their own lives each day. The National Federation of Builders said late payments, insecure work, construction’s physical toll and rising business costs could contribute to worsening mental health.
