“Lady in Red” singer serenades plasterer who redecorates victims homes
A plasterer who redecorates homes of domestic abuse victims has been rewarded with a Chris de Burgh video praising her work after receiving two national awards.
Naima Ben-Moussa, who operates the Rebuilding Lives charity, was sent the video after she received both the Special Recognition, and Plasterer of the Year Award at the On The Tools Awards ceremony which was hosted by Jeremy Vine.
In the video she was serenaded with a rendition of the de Burgh’s famous 1986 number one single, Lady in Red, in reference to her hair colour. Ben-Moussa commented on the video and the support she has received as she said:
“For me, it’s quite difficult to understand with all the trauma that I’ve been through that there are people supporting me.
I still struggle with trauma, despite all of the people supporting me. On those darkest days where I’m struggling to see the light, that video will be the video I will turn to.
I’m stuck with my hair colour for life now.”
8. But the thing that happened next blew me away. @ChrisDBOfficial took immediate interest in the email I sent him about Naima and went out of his way to record this message. We played it as a surprise to her and all the supporters — and it made the night. Thank-you Chris. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/IoHQI1amGk
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) November 19, 2022
Ben-Moussa said her reason for helping domestic abuse survivors is because she herself experienced witnessing similar abuse as a child. She claims fostering “saved her life” and was inspired by her foster dad who also renovated properties. She added:
“Because of my own trauma that I’ve been through, it takes a little while for things like getting an award to sink in.
I’ve said that to become a plasterer after all the things that I’ve been through – I’m really proud of myself.”
Ben-Moussa claims the aim is to get other women into the plastering trade and that the charity has been contacted by councils and other agencies who are interested in setting up similar programmes.
CEO of On The Tools, Lee Wilcox, said:
“I’m thrilled that Naima has won.
The plastering award is testament to her commitment to her craft, and the special recognition award applauds the charity work she does, and inspires others to do.
Naima is not only a credit to the construction industry but the whole country.”
