07.06.2011

New Lighthouse Club ambassador appointed

The Lighthouse Club, the UK's leading construction industry charity, has appointed Jennifer Deeney as its fund raising ambassador.

Deeney has been involved in raising the profile of safety in the industry since 2004, following a tragic accident which killed her husband Kieron. She will `champion` fund raising efforts at The Lighthouse Club as part of a major re-brand and promotion drive the organization is undertaking in 2011.

“There are few people in our industry who know more about the impact of accidents on the lives of families than Jennifer,” said Steve Barnett, chairman of The Lighthouse Club. “We are truly excited to have her in this new role and we’re getting a very positive reaction to her appointment. Her knowledge, passion and drive make her a valuable team member and her first initiatives are progressing well.”
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Jennifer Deeney

Deeney lost her husband Kieron in a construction accident in August 2004 just 13 weeks after the two had married. Understandably the devastation caused by the accident had a huge impact on Jennifer and gave her the motivation to highlight safety in the construction industry and to ensure proper support is available to those affected by accidents.

To understand more about the industry, she first took up employment with the Health and Safety Executive, where she studied workplace law and the systems within it. After 14 months, she left the HSE and started working full time on raising the importance of safety in the construction industry.

In 2007 she made the remarkably powerful film, It Will Never Happen To Me, which outlines the impact of the accident that killed Kieron and also the precautions that might have prevented the accident. Following the launch of the film, Jennifer also toured as a speaker, appearing at numerous conferences on construction and safety.

In 2010, Jennifer became involved with The Lighthouse Club, launching the Deeney Fund in aid of the club. Working with major construction companies, the fund has since raised close to £200,000. Its activities have included publishing a limited edition calendar, The Naked Truth, and participating in various sporting endeavours, including the London Marathon.