A Wigan firm could be the first to take on a 24-hour slating challenge to make a difference
Staff at a Wigan roofing firm have set themselves a mammoth 24-hour challenge to raise money for a good cause.
Phil Mayor, owner of Mayor Roofing, is a keen supporter of Daffodils Dreams and boosted the organisation’s coffers by completing the half marathon at last year’s Run Wigan Festival.
He is now following that up with a new challenge – which he thinks could be a world first – called a “slate-a-thon”.
It will see Phil and three members of staff laying roofing slates non-stop for 24 hours on a large farmhouse in Anglesey, which is being renovated by a Wigan property developer.
They will start at 8am and work throughout the day and night to complete the challenge.
Phil said: “We are going to slate for the full 24 hours. We are going to get all the scaffolding up, floodlights, all the health and safety aspects sorted, and it will be 24 hours of straight slating.
"I do work with Daffodils Dreams and I really like what they do and I like where the money goes.”
They have the support of professional roofer and social media influencer Geoff Smith, known as The Roofing Outlaw, and will be discussing using some of his products.
Normally a project of this size would take around a week to complete.
The team will strip off the old slates and timbers, put down felt and fit the new timbers in advance of the slating.
They might manage to slate the whole roof in the 24 hours, but Phil does not want to set that as a target and add more pressure to the challenge.
Daffodils Dreams supports vulnerable children and families across the borough by providing clothing, essential items, emotional support and access to opportunities that many families would otherwise struggle to afford.
Founder Maureen Holcroft said: “This is such an unusual and incredible idea — I’m not sure it’s ever been done before. The commitment and generosity shown by Mayor Roofing is truly inspiring. Every penny raised will make a real difference to the children and families we support.”
The slate-a-thon is expected to take place in late April, on a date to be confirmed.
Donations can be made at localgiving.org/fundraising/24HR-SLATE-A-THON.