Telethon appeal for high-spec playhouse

TWO skilled carpenters have built a high-spec children’s playhouse fit for a family to raise funds for the People in Need Telethon event.

And they placed the stunning house, which includes an open-plan indoor play area, balconies and a striking internal water feature, up for auction yesterday. They are hoping to raise close to €10,000 for charity.

The amazing fully insulated house is built to the same standards as an ordinary house. It has high-grade cedar walls, weather-cladding and a slate roof, and remarkably, its open-plan play space interior can be adapted and converted into a living space.

It was crafted over the last five months by north Cork-based Evolution Carpentry directors, Joseph Watkins and Sean Collins.

Such is the quality of timber and cladding used, the men said they expect the building to last a lifetime. Their creation, which is based on the theme of a pirate ship, measures a tidy 18 foot long, 10 foot wide, and nine foot high.

“This house was built to exactly the same standard as an ordinary house — and is perfect in every detail from the slate roof to the lead ridges,” said Mr Watkins.

It can be installed in most gardens and offers endless play combinations for children. The carpenters spent all their free time and several thousand euro sourcing materials for the playhouse.

Mr Watkins said if they were commissioned to built the house, it would cost between €7,000 and €10,000.

“We wanted to do something special for the Telethon charity appeal and it seemed to make more sense to use our skills rather than do a sponsored run or cycle,” he said.

All the money raised by the Telethon is spent in the area in which it was raised.

* Contact Joseph Watkins, 087-9010528 or Sean Collins, 086-6867480 for details.