Habitat for Humanity Northern Ireland has launched the Construction Industry Challenge raising £25,000 ahead of this week's Construction Week in the Shankill area of Belfast.

The challenge will culminate in seven-days of on-site building supported by teams supplied by a number of leading construction companies and related industries in NI.

Habitat hopes to complete 19 new homes at the Shankill site, in partnership with residents and volunteers from across Northern Ireland.

The £25,000 raised will be allocated to community regeneration and reconciliation, building houses and communities in Northern Ireland and around the world.

HFHNI's Executive Director, Peter Farquharson, said: "Habitat brings together more than 2,000 volunteers every year through a range of opportunities, local and global, designed to challenge those who participate and deepen the impact for individuals and communities.

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"Corporate partners have provided foundational support for our local programme and we are delighted that so many companies are able to take part, especially when we are all very aware of the current challenges facing the sector."

During this week teams from more than 20 different companies will work together on this unique challenge.

Teams are sponsored by their company and provide support to Habitat's work in building a shared, safe and sustainable future for Northern Ireland.

Paul Connolly (pictured), Regional Director of CEMEX NI, one of the sponsors of Construction Week said: "Construction Week is a project that we can really get involved with.

"We have followed the work of Habitat for Humanity in Northern Ireland closely and have taken the lead in sponsoring construction week in the Shankill area of Belfast as we are highly aware of the sustainable benefits these building blitz’s have in helping communities build for their future.

"We are only too aware of the challenges that the construction industry is going through at present and it is even more important - in a time when buying a house is even more difficult - that we can lend our support, products and expertise to help those most in need here in Belfast and the surrounding areas."

Other companies supporting the challenge include: Gilbert Ash, Graham Construction, Lagan Construction, McClure Watters, Patton Group, T & A Kernoghan, Wavin, White Young Green, DFC, Cisco, Momentum, Institute of Directors and the Bank of Ireland.

Pictured - Paul Connolly, CEMEX NI Regional Director and Jackie Trainor, Habitat for Humanity's Corporate Fundraiser.

(PR/JM)