A LOCAL family who were scammed by a rogue builder will be able to enjoy Christmas in their home thanks to a community-led campaign, headed up by a Bicester opticians.

The home of Zoe Elliott-Martin, 33, and her husband Andrew and two children Imogen and Aiden, had been left in an unsafe state for more than a year after a builder working on their extension took £40,000 and was then declared bankrupt.

The work needed to be started again from scratch which the family could not afford to do.

Hearing of her plight, Sarah Marshall, store director at Specsavers Bicester, set up a Go Fund Me page as well as encouraging local businesses to donate materials and labour.

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Mrs Elliott-Martin has been a customer at the store since it first opened and despite being treated for glaucoma from a young age, is now registered blind.

Thankfully, enough money was raised, as well as materials and time donated, so that the structural building work could be completed.

Ms Elliott-Martin said: “‘We’ve been completely overwhelmed by the support from the community and would like to thank Sarah and Specsavers for their help. It’s been a really stressful period.

“Living in an unfinished house that isn’t safe with two young children has been a constant worry. To know now that we’ll be able to spend Christmas there without worrying it’s unsafe is just the best feeling in the world.”

Some of the companies that helped put the family’s house back together included Alchester Construction, Richardson’s Groundwork, Churchill Skips, Allan and Keith Broom, K Services Scaffolding, Adam Holland, Kris Steadman, Adam Horner, First Brickwork, Illy Djujic Carpentry, Dean Roberts and Bicester Roofing.

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Ms Marshall said: “Zoe and her family have been through quite an ordeal in the last year so we’re absolutely thrilled that the house is now safe and water-tight and they can enjoy Christmas as a family of four without having to worry.

“As well as funds which were generously donated to the crowd funding page, we were overwhelmed with support from local companies and tradespeople who ensured we could get the extension finished.”

The interior still needs to be completed and so Specsavers is appealing for donations on the Go Fund Me page or for any businesses to come forward who might be able to help.

Ms Marshall added: “I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who has chipped in; without this help, we simply couldn’t have completed the job.” To donate, go to gofundme.co.uk or to offer services contact Specsavers Bicester.