Our Volunteers – Building Blitz 2024

Come meet our amazing team of volunteers, who will be travelling to South Africa on the 16th 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.

2024 will mark Noel Elliott’s seventh year taking part in the Mellon Educate programme. As the third generation of Elliott Group, Noel has a long-standing tradition in the construction industry. His core role involves leading the company from initial business development through to estimating, commercial management, and overseeing project execution at the steering level.

His compassion for people and his innate desire to help others have led to his strong involvement with Mellon Educate, where he has witnessed the incredible impact on children and their communities. Noel has encouraged and assisted many volunteers in participating, never taking for granted the opportunities we have been given and striving to bring the hope of education to many people.
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CATHAL SMITH
Group Technical Services Manager

I’ve been inspired this year to volunteer, by the experiences of those who have participated in the Mellon Educate Building Blitz, particularly through the stories shared by Noel Elliott over his six years of support.
I’ve visited South Africa before, where I witnessed the harsh realities of poverty and the severe lack of suitable homes and facilities in the townships.
The opportunity to see firsthand the positive impact that even a small contribution of time and effort can have on someone’s life is incredibly humbling.
It is a privilege to be able to support these communities, and I am grateful for the chance I have to help make a difference.
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WINNIEFRED AGHAEZE
Quantity Surveyor

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.” This will be Winniefred’s third year volunteering.
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Lauren joined Elliott Group in November 2022 as the HR Manager for both ROI and the UK, bringing experience from her previous roles in the construction industry.
“Since joining Elliott Group, I’ve heard so many incredible stories about the Mellon Educate charity and their annual Building Blitz.
As a HR professional, my focus is on supporting people and helping both individuals and the business achieve their goals I am very much looking forward to achieving the goal of improving the lives of children, their families, and the community by providing educational opportunities that many of us take for granted.”
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LAURA MCCOOEY
HSEQ & ESG Manager

Laura is originally from Camlough now living in Loughbrickland with her husband and three young children. With a degree in Construction Engineering and Management, Laura has been working in the construction industry for almost 20 years. In 2021 Laura joined Elliott Group as HSEQ advisor and is currently in the position of HSEQ & ESG Manager.
Volunteering in her local area at community events and co-hosting a monthly support group for those effected by pregnancy and infant loss, Laura is not one to shy away from helping others where she can.
Laura thoroughly enjoyed her time in education and is a true believer that everyone deserves the opportunity to have the same experience she did. Having always wanting to take part in an opportunity like this, Laura is delighted to have been selected to take part in this years Building Blitz with Mellon Educate.
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KATE SMITH
Financial Accountant

“This is my first year to go on the Mellon Building Blitz, and I’m really looking forward to help change the lives of other people, especially young kids.
I have always wanted to do something like this and help those who are in need. It is a good eye opener to see how other people live in less well-off countries. I was talking to other people who went last year and how it affected them and heard the stories they told about how the children live in such poor conditions, compared to our kids here! I just think of my kids and how different their lives would be compared to kids their same age in Africa.”
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ELENA GOAGA
Senior Site Manager

Born in Romania and moved to London 6 years ago, Elena joined Elliott Group as a senior site manager in January 2024.
“I have never been to Africa before and I cannot wait to discover and experience their culture, by meeting with the locals and exchange stories, while also helping the community by building new schools for the less fortunate kids and promote education. I am very excited to be participating in this year`s Mellon Educate Building Blitz. I think it will be a life changing experience that will make us realize how lucky we are with what we have and that we shouldn’t take everything for granted. I am expecting this to be an emotional and humble week but thrilling at the same time, which I am sure will make me want to go back next year if I will have the opportunity. I have seen what the teams from previous years managed to do and I am ready for the challenge.”
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DARAGH MORAN
Systems Controller

Daragh is originally from County Mayo in Ireland, and has recently moved to the UK. “I joined the Elliott Group UK team in January of this year, working as our Systems Controller for the London and South region. I first heard about the Mellon Educate program in my company induction and knew straight away that it is something that I wanted to be involved in. From speaking to some of the previous volunteers I knew it would be a great opportunity to give something back to those who are less fortunate than ourselves. We often take things for granted, having access to education and a safe place to learn included, so I am really looking forward to taking part in a program that will allow so many underprivileged children to have the opportunity to learn. Overall, I am sure it will be a very successful and rewarding experience.”
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GLEN DEACON
Preconstruction Manager

This will be Glen’s second year participating in the Mellon Educate Building Blitz. Glen is a Pre Contract Manager 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” he 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.”
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DANIEL BARRY
Site Manager

Daniel Barry is based in Cork and joined Elliott Group three years ago.
“This is my first year volunteering for the Mellon Educate Building Blitz. I’m privileged to be travelling to Cape Town in November as part of this year’s Elliott team.
It will be a great opportunity for us all to row in together and work hard for the week to give the children an opportunity to receive a much better standard of education and learning.”
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CONOR O’LEARY
Junior Site Engineer

Conor grew up in Cork and completed a master’s diploma in Civil, Structural, and Environmental Engineering from University College Cork.
“I joined Elliott Group in October 2023 and haven’t looked back since. Volunteering with a deserving charity like Mellon Educate has always been a dream of mine. I am passionate about using my skills to make a tangible difference in communities that need it the most. I believe that contributing to such impactful projects can bring about real, positive change, and I am excited about the prospect of being part of a team dedicated to improving education and infrastructure for those in need.
Education is the foundation for personal and societal growth, and having access to proper educational facilities is a critical component of that foundation. By contributing to the construction of schools and other educational infrastructures, I hope to play a part in providing children with the opportunities they deserve to learn and thrive.”
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BERNADETTE MAGUIRE
HSEQ Manager

Bernadette has worked with Elliott Group for many years so is familiar with the Mellon Educate Charity. “I am thrilled to take part in the Building Blitz 2024, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that holds great personal significance for me. I firmly believe that every child deserves access to a quality education and the fundamental ability to read and write. Participating in this initiative will be an incredibly rewarding experience.
My family has supported this charity for years, and now I’m eager to get more involved myself.
I can’t wait to help out and make a difference with Building Blitz 2024.”
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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.