Come meet our amazing team of volunteers, who will be travelling to South Africa on the 18th November, to take part in this year’s Building Blitz for Mellon Educate.

These volunteers will join a group of between 300-400 people in a township, to build a school in just seven days. The school will facilitate the education of 1,200-1,500 children.

Here’s why they wanted to get involved.

2023 will mark Noel’s sixth year taking part in the Mellon Educate programme. Noel has a long tradition in the construction industry, as the third generation of Elliott Group.
Noel’s core role is to lead the company from initial business development to estimating, commercial management and to oversee the execution at the steering level on all projects. When he is not at the helm, you can find him in the saddle at his other passion, Cloverhill Sports Horses, an elite equine training and stabling centre in Ireland.
Combining this with his compassion for people and his innate desire to help others has led him to a strong involvement with this charity, witnessing the incredible impact it has had on children and their communities. He has encouraged and assisted many volunteers in taking part, never taking for granted the opportunities we have been given and striving to give the hope of education to so many people. Just Giving link

MEGAN STAUNTON
Quantity Surveyor, Elliott Group

This will be Megan’s second year participating in the Mellon Educate Building Blitz. Megan is a project quantity surveyor with Elliott Group. “I love helping people and I am really looking forward to another week of hard work on the tools to assist in building a school” she says.

“Last year’s building blitz was a life changing experience for me, a reminder of how lucky we are and how we easily take things for granted. The week was very emotional, however highly rewarding. Having visited one of the pupils shacks last year, it was just heart breaking the conditions they were living in and frustrating at the inequality of the world we live it. Providing these children with an education is giving them an opportunity at a brighter future and a better standard of living, an opportunity of employment and a home outside these shanty towns. Every child deserves an education, and I am delighted to be helping to try and achieve this.” Just Giving link

WINNIEFRED AGHAEZE
Quantity Surveyor, Elliott Group

Winniefred was born in Nigeria and moved to the UK in her early teenage years. She successfully graduated from university with a bachelor’s degree in Quantity Surveying in 2019 and joined Elliott Group in December 2020 as a Graduate quantity surveyor and her dedication and skill has seen her progress within the company. Winniefred is currently based in the London branch.

“Mellon educate was indeed a very rewarding and enjoyable experience, hence why I am returning this year. It is amazing how taking a week out of your life to volunteer can have a big impact in someone else’s life.

The caliber of people volunteering also made it a worthwhile experience as there was lots of laughs and joy to make it quite a memorable experience. As everyone there has a common goal, it is easy to form good relationships with those you meet.” Just Giving link

Beverley was born and raised in Chester, Cheshire, UK and began working with Elliott Group in February 2023, currently on the Boughton Heath Project, only 1.4 miles/20 minutes away from home! Beverley is incredibly active in her locality, volunteering with Storyhouse Chester, a large, mixed-use cultural building in Chester, England, which opened in May 2017, and Chester Zoo. She is a true advocate for striving to help/improve other people’s lives less fortunate than herself.
“I wanted to be part of the Elliott Group volunteers as I believe every child should have the opportunity to attend school and receive an education, which will improve not only their lives and their families’, but the whole community in Cape Town. I will give 100% enthusiasm and determination to make sure the project is completed.” Just Giving link

EARON KEARNEY
Site Administrator/Document Controller

Earon started working with Elliott Group in October 2022, which was her first time working in the construction industry. For the past number of years, Earon has been donating to the Mellon foundation and admiring the work that has been done.

“Now I have the opportunity to volunteer, something which I have always wanted to do but never got around to it. I strongly believe that every child deserves a quality education, the fundamental ability to read and write. To be involved in something we all take for granted would be life changing.” Just Giving link

MATT MARTIN
Quantity Surveyor

Matt was born in Belfast, North of Ireland. He moved to Liverpool to study in 2007, where he spent 5 years and attained his Bachelor’s Degree in Building Surveying. After working in the industry for a number of years, Matt returned home. In 2017 Matt returned to England to complete his Master’s Degree in Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management. After four years working in historic restoration, Matt joined Elliott Group in June 2022. He is currently commercial lead on the Griffon Studio’s job whilst working on other perspective projects.

“The Mellon Educate initiative attracted me, as education has played a big part in me being able to change my own life for the better. We take for granted the opportunities we have sometimes and don’t realise how fortunate we are to be living in a “western society” where these opportunities are readily available. I believe it is important that everyone should at least have the option of this opportunity and so I am hopeful my contribution will help to give someone else the opportunity to better themselves and potentially change their future.” Just Giving link

HENRIQUE MARINELO
Junior Site Engineer

Henrique was born in Brazil and moved to Ireland 6 years ago. Graduated from university with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 2016 and joined Elliott Group in May 2021 as a Junior Site Engineer, being based in Dublin.

“I decided to join the team because It will be a very rewarding experience, and it’s very important to care for others and be attentive to people less fortunate, and the act of kindness and being helpful is never wasted.” Just Giving link

MICHAELA MAGUIRE
Site Administrator

Michaela Maguire is originally from Fermanagh and is currently studying for a Business and Management bachelor’s degree from Bath Spa University.

Michaela has recently joined Elliott Group in a full-time position after spending last summer with us. She was excited to be a part of the Building Blitz this year, stating, “for me, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to go to Africa and help those who truly need it. I have seen others go and do similar amazing things, and I have always wanted to be a part of something so life changing. I can’t wait to make new memories and gain valuable skills along the way.” Just Giving link

GLEN DEACON
Contracts Manager UK North & Midlands

Originally from for Wexford, Glen has lived between Ireland and the UK for the last 15 years. He has worked alongside Elliott’s for the last year on various projects especially in the UK.

“I’ve been looking to give back and get involved with a charity for some time. When speaking to Noel about the Mellon Educate charity I couldn’t wait to sign up for the Building Blitz 2023. As opposed to the day to day construction projects, it is great to give back and make a difference for those most vulnerable in the world.” Just Giving link

We would ask that you support our effort by giving any donation you can towards Mellon Educate.  Please click on the Just Giving link to support. All funds raised go directly to Mellon Educate.