0:00:03 > 0:00:07One of the things I love about us Brits is our spirit of generosity.
0:00:07 > 0:00:10If I can give back to somebody who had a similar struggle to my own,
0:00:10 > 0:00:12then that's what I'd like to do.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15Last year, nearly three quarters of us gave to charity.
0:00:15 > 0:00:21But what if you had a chance to go back and relive moments from your past?
0:00:21 > 0:00:22I wish I was 18 again.
0:00:24 > 0:00:25I'm expecting Mum and Dad to
0:00:25 > 0:00:28- walk out now and say hello, you know?- Yeah.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31Moments which would inspire you to want to help someone today.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34I want to give back to those people that are going through that,
0:00:34 > 0:00:35that I went through in the beginning.
0:00:35 > 0:00:39If I can give something to somebody else that would change their lives,
0:00:39 > 0:00:40- I'd really love to.- Fantastic.
0:00:40 > 0:00:44Someone who had no idea this life-changing windfall was coming.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48I have got, potentially, her dream in my hand.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51- How are you feeling?- Nervous.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53There'll be surprises...
0:00:53 > 0:00:56- How are you?- Very good!
0:00:56 > 0:00:58Thank you so much.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00Thank you.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03..with acts of generosity that will change people's lives...
0:01:05 > 0:01:06We're all crying.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09- Do you need a hug, as well? - Yeah, thanks!
0:01:09 > 0:01:10..forever.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12That's brilliant.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14Somebody that just does that for people,
0:01:14 > 0:01:16it's just amazing, it really is.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18This is Going Back, Giving Back.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29Today, we're going back to 1970s Liverpool,
0:01:31 > 0:01:33and a story that really resonates me.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37It's all about facing adversity and battling against the odds.
0:01:37 > 0:01:41A story where one person's kindness could change someone else's life.
0:01:43 > 0:01:46We take a remarkable man on a trip down memory lane.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49Will it spark powerful emotions?
0:01:49 > 0:01:54- I'm expecting Mum and Dad to walk out now and say hello, you know? - Yeah.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56The memories just come flooding back.
0:01:56 > 0:01:57It's just wonderful to be back.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03But what exactly is driving him to want to make a huge difference?
0:02:03 > 0:02:04Oh, my goodness me.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07Even though she was dying, "Please, just remember to please
0:02:07 > 0:02:08"keep giving as much as you can.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10"I want you to continue to do that."
0:02:12 > 0:02:16Can he change the life of a caring and inspirational teenager?
0:02:16 > 0:02:18She's basically does everything.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22Wouldn't be without her.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26And the tension builds as we prepare for the ultimate surprise...
0:02:26 > 0:02:28I cannot wait to see her face.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30In front of all her friends, as well.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32- Hi, Olivia.- Hi!
0:02:32 > 0:02:35..with a gift that will change her life.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38- Thank you so much. - Pleasure.- Thank you.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44I'm in a leafy suburb of the Wirral to meet a man who's made the
0:02:44 > 0:02:47life-changing decision to give something back.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52His life today is a far cry from the 1970s, when he was growing up on the
0:02:52 > 0:02:54Speke estate just outside Liverpool.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59The swinging '60s were over and money was tight.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06The Speke council estate had become one of the most deprived areas in the UK.
0:03:06 > 0:03:0950% unemployment.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12The average wage was as little as £19 a week.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15That's less than £3 a day to live on.
0:03:15 > 0:03:16Unbelievable.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26Escaping this world of grinding poverty was virtually unheard of,
0:03:26 > 0:03:30but a tiny number did beat the odds, and one of them was a guy I'm going to meet now.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33I can't wait for you to hear his extraordinary story.
0:03:37 > 0:03:38I hope he's in.
0:03:39 > 0:03:40He is.
0:03:41 > 0:03:4657-year-old dad of two Bernie has always lived in Merseyside.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49Despite his tough childhood, he turned his life around,
0:03:49 > 0:03:51and for the last 30 years has enjoyed
0:03:51 > 0:03:53a successful career as a banking executive.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56Come on in. Cup of tea? Coffee.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58- I'll have anything.- OK, fine.
0:03:58 > 0:03:59Let's go.
0:04:01 > 0:04:02Bernie's not a rich man.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04Doesn't have a fleet of flashy cars,
0:04:04 > 0:04:07but there is one extraordinary thing about him.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09Having been a teenage carer for his mother
0:04:09 > 0:04:12and really struggled in early life,
0:04:12 > 0:04:14he's made it his mission to help others.
0:04:16 > 0:04:20And over the past 30 years, he's raised millions for charity
0:04:20 > 0:04:22by cycling across continents,
0:04:22 > 0:04:25running marathons and trekking across deserts.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28But for the first time, it's personal,
0:04:28 > 0:04:32and he wants to give some of his own money to someone whose life today
0:04:32 > 0:04:34mirrors that of his childhood.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36A lovely part of the world you're in.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38Yeah, it really is beautiful around here.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41A bit different to where you were when you were a kid.
0:04:41 > 0:04:42Yeah, sadly, it was. I was in an
0:04:42 > 0:04:45overspill housing estate in Liverpool called Speke.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47- Notorious Speke.- Yeah.
0:04:47 > 0:04:49It has got a bit of a reputation, sadly,
0:04:49 > 0:04:51and there was an awful lot of poverty.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53Mum was just a cleaner.
0:04:53 > 0:04:54Dad went to sea.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56He was away quite a lot, wasn't he?
0:04:56 > 0:04:59- Yeah, he was, yeah.- It must have been really hard on your mum, then.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02Yeah, it was. She was the fatherly figure to my three brothers
0:05:02 > 0:05:03and myself and my gran and my grandad,
0:05:03 > 0:05:05who lived with us at the time, as well.
0:05:07 > 0:05:10Bernie's mum was a massive influence on his life.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12Although money was extremely tight,
0:05:12 > 0:05:14she always believed in giving whatever
0:05:14 > 0:05:16she could to those less fortunate.
0:05:16 > 0:05:21Your mum's mantra, her belief in helping other people is in you now?
0:05:21 > 0:05:23Yeah, very much so, really,
0:05:23 > 0:05:25I think it's within my DNA.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28His mum insisted education was
0:05:28 > 0:05:31the key to unlocking the door to a better life.
0:05:31 > 0:05:34It's because of her that Bernie went to university,
0:05:34 > 0:05:37and that he set up a charity that takes
0:05:37 > 0:05:40groups of volunteer from the UK over to Kenya to build
0:05:40 > 0:05:43schools for the African children.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45Giving is in his blood, and this time
0:05:45 > 0:05:48it's his mission to help someone
0:05:48 > 0:05:50who's experienced his hardship.
0:05:50 > 0:05:54And you want to give back to somebody less fortunate than yourself now?
0:05:54 > 0:05:59I'd really love to give to somebody that I feel that we could help on their educational journey,
0:05:59 > 0:06:04whereby they may be struggling financially to go and fulfil their dream.
0:06:04 > 0:06:08- You're potentially changing somebody's life.- Yeah.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10That's pretty incredible stuff.
0:06:10 > 0:06:12- I know.- Incredible. Yeah.
0:06:12 > 0:06:15Listen, to help you decide how to give back,
0:06:15 > 0:06:17I think we need to go back.
0:06:17 > 0:06:18- So, are you ready?- Yeah.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20- Up for it.- Let's go. - Thanks, Aled. Cheers.
0:06:22 > 0:06:24We're hoping that by taking Bernie
0:06:24 > 0:06:27on this trip down memory lane, back to his childhood,
0:06:27 > 0:06:30it will help him make the massive decision of who
0:06:30 > 0:06:32and how he might be able to help someone today.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37So, have you any idea where we're off to now?
0:06:37 > 0:06:41Well, if we're going into Liverpool, I would imagine it's going back to
0:06:41 > 0:06:43where I grew up, which is, you know, Speke.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49In the '60s, Liverpool was a happening place to be.
0:06:50 > 0:06:52Hem lines went up...
0:06:52 > 0:06:53aspirations grew...
0:06:54 > 0:06:57..and the Cavern Club was the cradle of British pop music.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01Just nine miles from Liverpool
0:07:01 > 0:07:03was the Speke estate, where we are now heading.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06It's where Bernie spent his childhood
0:07:06 > 0:07:09and where his passion for giving back was sparked.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11- So, this is it, is it? - This is Speke, yeah.
0:07:11 > 0:07:13This is the entrance to Speke.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16After massive slum clearances in the centre of Liverpool,
0:07:16 > 0:07:18hundreds of families such as Bernie's
0:07:18 > 0:07:22were moved out of town to modern housing estates like Speke,
0:07:22 > 0:07:25where Beatles George Harrison and Paul McCartney lived.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30These estates were a huge hit with residents.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34The modern houses even had inside toilets and fitted kitchens.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37I think there's more pride when it is done nice,
0:07:37 > 0:07:38that you want to keep it nice.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41Speke, it's enormous, isn't it?
0:07:41 > 0:07:45It is. Geographically, it's an enormous housing estate.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51By the 1970s, when Bernie was growing up,
0:07:51 > 0:07:54Liverpool's fortunes had dramatically changed.
0:07:54 > 0:07:56The docks had declined,
0:07:56 > 0:08:00and the factories in and around Speke had closed down.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04This once thriving estate was now rife with unemployment and crime.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08Speke gets a very bad press, doesn't it, or it has done over the years.
0:08:08 > 0:08:13- Was it scary?- It was... It was, at times, to be fair.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17You know, particularly, there were certain areas where..
0:08:19 > 0:08:21..you really feel very uncomfortable about walking.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23Right.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26It's incredible. It's like a...
0:08:26 > 0:08:29- Shall we pop out? - That would be nice, yeah. Why not?
0:08:31 > 0:08:33For Bernie, there's one place in particular
0:08:33 > 0:08:36where his awareness of giving back started
0:08:36 > 0:08:39and where he first appreciated the value of money.
0:08:39 > 0:08:40Every Sunday, he witnessed his mum
0:08:40 > 0:08:43giving a lot of money to the collection,
0:08:43 > 0:08:45despite having very little themselves.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48It was a key catalyst for Bernie's generosity.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52This was the church where you were that angelic little altar boy.
0:08:53 > 0:08:56Angelic, possibly so, but possibly not.
0:08:56 > 0:08:59Many a happy a memory on those steps over there,
0:08:59 > 0:09:02when we actually were altar boys for weddings and funerals.
0:09:02 > 0:09:04Not so much happy for funerals,
0:09:04 > 0:09:06but always happy when we actually got our tip
0:09:06 > 0:09:08at the end of the actual ceremony.
0:09:08 > 0:09:1340 years ago, getting married in church was still the most popular choice for couples,
0:09:13 > 0:09:17and big dresses and big hair was all the rage.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20Did you get more money for weddings or more money for funerals?
0:09:20 > 0:09:22- We actually did better out of funerals.- Really?
0:09:22 > 0:09:25I don't know the reason why that happened,
0:09:25 > 0:09:28but when we got a funeral we knew we were quids in.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31So everybody turned up and said yes to a funeral.
0:09:31 > 0:09:33Did you have a good singing voice?
0:09:33 > 0:09:36Dreadful, Aled, I'm sure you'll be delighted to know...
0:09:36 > 0:09:38I thought we could have had a duet outside!
0:09:38 > 0:09:41You were supposed to say, "Yes, and I've still got it."
0:09:41 > 0:09:42LAUGHTER
0:09:42 > 0:09:45No, my singing voice was awful, to be fair.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48I think I wasn't a bad soprano, not to your degree.
0:09:48 > 0:09:53But, no, I kept my singing well back and just served on the altar.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55- I knew my level. - You earn less as an choir boy.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59You were in the right place being an altar boy.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01- Shall we carry on our walk? - Yeah, why not? Let's do that.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05This first location helped kick-start
0:10:05 > 0:10:07Bernie's desire to give something back.
0:10:07 > 0:10:12A short walk away is a place he's not been back to for 30 years
0:10:12 > 0:10:16and is a stark reminder of how far he's come.
0:10:16 > 0:10:18It's his childhood home.
0:10:18 > 0:10:19It's incredible to be home.
0:10:19 > 0:10:20- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22It's just, it's been a long time.
0:10:24 > 0:10:25And nothing has changed, Aled.
0:10:25 > 0:10:29- Really?- Yeah, it's just as I was in my childhood, really.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32Which has got double glazing!
0:10:32 > 0:10:34My goodness me!
0:10:34 > 0:10:35That's one difference.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Yeah, absolutely, and it's got its own number, as well.
0:10:38 > 0:10:39Incredible stuff.
0:10:39 > 0:10:43That's so great. Oh, dear, dear, dear.
0:10:43 > 0:10:44What's going through your mind?
0:10:44 > 0:10:45Um...
0:10:45 > 0:10:47Well, yeah, it's, uh...
0:10:49 > 0:10:52I'm expecting Mum and Dad to walk out now and say hello, you know?
0:10:52 > 0:10:54Well, they're not here, so...
0:10:54 > 0:10:56The memories just come flooding back.
0:10:56 > 0:11:00It's just wonderful to be back and just to see it's still here.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02There were how many of you in that house?
0:11:02 > 0:11:04Eight people lived in this house.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06- Eight.- Eight folks, yeah, yeah.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08- It was...- It doesn't really look
0:11:08 > 0:11:10big enough for eight people, I have to say.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12We did call it the TARDIS at the time,
0:11:12 > 0:11:14because Dr Who had just started.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16It was quite an incredible space inside,
0:11:16 > 0:11:18I don't really know how we fitted all of these folks in,
0:11:18 > 0:11:22but we did and it was an incredible place to be.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24There was so much love
0:11:24 > 0:11:26and so much fun.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29It was great, but, wow, thank you for bringing me back, Aled.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33This is just... It's just wonderful to watch and see and... Yeah.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36It's changed, obviously, a little outside,
0:11:36 > 0:11:39but from here it's just phenomenal.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42Little does he know,
0:11:42 > 0:11:45but everything's about to get even more vivid.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47Listen, we can go one better.
0:11:47 > 0:11:49- Really?- I've got the keys.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51Do you fancy having a little trip down memory lane?
0:11:51 > 0:11:54- Yeah. Thank you. - It's a pleasure.
0:11:54 > 0:11:58- Come on. Let's get you in there. - Thank you very much. Thank you.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02Come on through to the hall.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06Wow! Oh, my God!
0:12:07 > 0:12:09Oh, wow!
0:12:13 > 0:12:15- It's just...- Yeah.- Wow.
0:12:15 > 0:12:17What's going through your mind?
0:12:17 > 0:12:19Just, I can now sort of visualise
0:12:19 > 0:12:22people walking around the house and speaking and
0:12:22 > 0:12:27going back and forth and I can... The telephone was right here.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30A red telephone that we had on a telephone stand here,
0:12:30 > 0:12:34which was, you know, sacrosanct, anybody go near that, gosh,
0:12:34 > 0:12:38you had to have special permission to make a telephone call, you know.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42Um, and, yeah, this was our lounge where we were,
0:12:42 > 0:12:45if we went into here, we'd got special permission
0:12:45 > 0:12:48- to play our records and have a bit of fun.- Shall we go and look?
0:12:48 > 0:12:49Yeah. Wow!
0:12:51 > 0:12:55Bernie's childhood home, where he ended up caring for his poorly mum,
0:12:55 > 0:12:57was a typical example of how millions
0:12:57 > 0:12:59of families were living across the country.
0:12:59 > 0:13:04There was no central heating, no double glazing, no fridge.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06Things were pretty basic.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08So this has changed, has it?
0:13:08 > 0:13:09Oh, wow! Yeah. Wow.
0:13:09 > 0:13:14There used to be a wall here with a glass door.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17But I can still visualise as being in here.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19You know? It's just...
0:13:19 > 0:13:23And the piano used to be up against this wall here, my nan's piano.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26So many memories come flooding back now.
0:13:26 > 0:13:30- Do you want to look upstairs? - I'd love to go upstairs, yeah.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33Everything is coming back to Bernie as if it were yesterday.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36I'm hoping this visit will fuel Bernie's determination
0:13:36 > 0:13:37to give something back.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41The three-bed house today looks really smart,
0:13:41 > 0:13:43so it's hard to imagine how
0:13:43 > 0:13:47eight people lived crammed in here 40 years ago.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49This was our room here.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51- Come on, then. - This is where five people slept.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53- Five people?- Five, yeah.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55- In this room?- Yeah, yeah.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59So, five of you in this room.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02I'm getting visions of, like, Charlie And The Chocolate Factory.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04It was very much like Charlie And The Chocolate Factory.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07We were very much munchkined in.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09It was incredible how we could
0:14:09 > 0:14:11actually fit five people in one small space,
0:14:11 > 0:14:12but it was done.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15A single in this corner here.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17Double there. Two singles here.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20When Bernie was a boy, it was very common
0:14:20 > 0:14:22for many generations to live under
0:14:22 > 0:14:25the same roof, meaning very cramped sleeping conditions.
0:14:27 > 0:14:28So you, your brothers...
0:14:28 > 0:14:31Me, John, Mark, Steve and grandad.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33- Grandad was in with you? - Oh, yeah, yeah.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35Why was grandad in with you?
0:14:35 > 0:14:38My nan used to sleep in the spare room over here,
0:14:38 > 0:14:40and they didn't get on, so...
0:14:40 > 0:14:44I think he was delighted he was in here and not with Gran.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49Let's carry on. Where was your mum and dad then?
0:14:49 > 0:14:51Mum and Dad's bedroom was here on the left.
0:14:55 > 0:14:56Oh, my goodness me.
0:14:57 > 0:14:58Wow!
0:15:01 > 0:15:04We're now getting to the heart of Bernie's motivation for
0:15:04 > 0:15:06why he wants to give back.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09As a young lad, who became one of his mum's carers,
0:15:09 > 0:15:10his feelings are very raw.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14I just visualise it the way it was.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18Both your parents passed away within six months of one and other,
0:15:18 > 0:15:21- is that right?- Yeah. Dad passed away first of all.
0:15:21 > 0:15:26He died of liver cancer and lung cancer within, well,
0:15:26 > 0:15:30he was given six weeks to live from our doctor's around the corner,
0:15:30 > 0:15:32and within six weeks he passed away.
0:15:32 > 0:15:34It was a shocking way of him passing,
0:15:34 > 0:15:37and then six months after that, Mum went.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41Whether it was a broken heart, nobody knows,
0:15:41 > 0:15:45but she died very, very suddenly,
0:15:45 > 0:15:49with a terrible lung disease that she got, as well.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51So it wasn't very pretty, to be fair.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55It's clear family is incredibly important to Bernie,
0:15:55 > 0:15:58but it's his mum who's the key driving force
0:15:58 > 0:16:01behind his desire to give something back.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03Even on her death bed she had words of advice for you, didn't she?
0:16:03 > 0:16:07Yeah, she did. I remember vividly,
0:16:07 > 0:16:11really, when it was coming towards the end and...
0:16:12 > 0:16:15..she beckoned me onto her bed and...
0:16:18 > 0:16:22..she embraced me the way she always did.
0:16:25 > 0:16:26She looked so beautiful.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32She always had this beautiful brown, wavy hair and...
0:16:34 > 0:16:37..she turned around and said to me, "Don't worry, son,
0:16:37 > 0:16:38"it's going to be OK.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43"I'm going to be fine." Even though she was dying.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45"I'm going to be fine. Please don't worry about me,
0:16:45 > 0:16:47"but, please, just remember to,
0:16:47 > 0:16:49"please, keep giving as much as you can.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51"To give is to receive.
0:16:51 > 0:16:57"I want you to continue to do that, as I've done, and you'll be OK.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00"You'll be looked after if you continue on that way, on that path."
0:17:01 > 0:17:04And I whispered in her ear.
0:17:04 > 0:17:05I always remember doing this.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07I whispered in her ear and said,
0:17:07 > 0:17:09"Mum, I'll... You've got it, I'll do this for you.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11"That's not a problem.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13"You have my word. From this day
0:17:13 > 0:17:15"I will go on and carry on what you're doing,
0:17:15 > 0:17:16"what you've done today."
0:17:16 > 0:17:18And you have.
0:17:18 > 0:17:20- Well, yeah.- And you're going to.
0:17:20 > 0:17:24Yeah, well, yes, I hope so. I hope I have and I've done my little bit,
0:17:24 > 0:17:26and I'm sure Mum, wherever she is,
0:17:26 > 0:17:29will be looking down upon all four of us, really.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35Basically saying that she's proud of what we've achieved.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38First of all, what happened in this room, that special moment,
0:17:38 > 0:17:42- has been with you all your life and is now spurring you on to help. - Yeah.
0:17:47 > 0:17:51'Going back is stirring up such vivid memories for Bernie...'
0:17:51 > 0:17:52DOORBELL
0:17:52 > 0:17:53Let's head downstairs.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56'..making him more determined to give back with his own money.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01'But his visit has also attracted the attention of old neighbours.'
0:18:02 > 0:18:05- Hiya.- You don't remember me!
0:18:05 > 0:18:06- I don't think...- Mr Jensen.
0:18:06 > 0:18:07Mr Jensen?
0:18:07 > 0:18:09Peter...
0:18:09 > 0:18:12Last time I seen you, you had more hair than me!
0:18:12 > 0:18:16'And it's not just Bernie who recognised the kindness of his mum,
0:18:16 > 0:18:19'she made a huge impact on everyone.'
0:18:19 > 0:18:22Do you remember his parents and grandparents, then?
0:18:22 > 0:18:23Oh, yeah.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27Your grandad was the one, the kids didn't like him, did they?
0:18:27 > 0:18:30- No, no, no, no. - Couldn't play outside.
0:18:30 > 0:18:31No, no, no, no. He was very,
0:18:31 > 0:18:34watchful, you couldn't play football at all.
0:18:34 > 0:18:35He was coming out and telling people off.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39This was a time before computer games,
0:18:39 > 0:18:41and most families didn't even have a television,
0:18:41 > 0:18:44so children would spend hours playing out on the streets,
0:18:44 > 0:18:46creating their own games.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50Your nan was a very nice woman.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52Yeah?
0:18:52 > 0:18:53Yeah. To me, she was.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55She was. She was very gracious.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57- And your mother. - And my mum was an angel.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59It's been 25 years, he said, since he's been here.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01- Yeah, yeah.- Is it 20?
0:19:01 > 0:19:03It must be 25 years. Was it longer?
0:19:04 > 0:19:07- I don't know. 30-odd.- 30.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09Do you remember him as a young one?
0:19:09 > 0:19:10Yes. Yes.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14He used to walk around with his books, going to school and studying.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16That nice school.
0:19:16 > 0:19:17Oh, really?
0:19:17 > 0:19:18He was the clever one?
0:19:19 > 0:19:21Well, I think he was, yeah.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23LAUGHTER
0:19:23 > 0:19:25You don't have to answer that, Mr Jensen.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29Listen, you two are getting on like a house on fire, but I need to steal him, I've got plans for him now.
0:19:29 > 0:19:31- Thanks so much for coming around, Mr Jensen.- Thank you.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35Lovely seeing you. Lovely seeing you. Give my love to all the family.
0:19:35 > 0:19:36- Yeah.- Great seeing you.
0:19:36 > 0:19:38Thank you for welcoming me back.
0:19:38 > 0:19:39So, shall we head on?
0:19:39 > 0:19:42Yeah, let's head on. Why not? Great stuff. Thank you.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48So, go on, how was it going back to the old house?
0:19:48 > 0:19:50Yeah, so inspirational and so emotional,
0:19:50 > 0:19:52but it's made me more determined
0:19:52 > 0:19:55- to give something back than ever before, Aled.- Good on you.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59Coming up, we've been on a hunt for someone whose story we hope will
0:19:59 > 0:20:02resonate with Bernie and we think we've found them.
0:20:02 > 0:20:03She's an inspirational teenager
0:20:03 > 0:20:06whose life has extraordinary parallels with Bernie's.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09Among them, caring for a poorly parent.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14She basically does everything.
0:20:16 > 0:20:18Wouldn't be without her.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21She thinks we're making a programme about young carers
0:20:21 > 0:20:22and has absolutely no idea
0:20:22 > 0:20:25the real reason behind Bernie's visit
0:20:25 > 0:20:28and that she could be in line for a life-changing gift.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31- Hi, Olivia.- Hi. - Hi, lovely to meet you.
0:20:31 > 0:20:33- You, too. Please, come in. - Thank you so much, thanks.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35The big question is, will they get on?
0:20:36 > 0:20:38But first, we've gathered together
0:20:38 > 0:20:42some very familiar faces who are still a key part of Bernie's life.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46I've got another little surprise for you now.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48Fancy a kick around with your brothers?
0:20:48 > 0:20:50Oh, yeah!
0:20:50 > 0:20:51This should be fun!
0:20:51 > 0:20:53Aw, stop showing off!
0:20:54 > 0:20:56Back heels as well?
0:20:59 > 0:21:01Bernie's brothers, John, Mark and Steve
0:21:01 > 0:21:05also moved out of Speke decades ago and haven't been back since.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08Growing up, like boys across the country,
0:21:08 > 0:21:10they'd spend hours outside playing football.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15Time to see if they've still got the skills and a chance for Bernie to
0:21:15 > 0:21:17make sure he's doing the right thing.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19So, was he always studying, this one?
0:21:19 > 0:21:22- He was the sensible one out of the four of us, really.- Oh, was he?
0:21:22 > 0:21:25We got our friends to do our homework on the bus.
0:21:25 > 0:21:26On the bus, yeah.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28I was a bit like that, as well.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30He was saying earlier on, you didn't have a lot
0:21:30 > 0:21:32but it was a happy family life.
0:21:32 > 0:21:34To be honest with you,
0:21:34 > 0:21:38it was amazing, because we all congregated in one room at the back.
0:21:38 > 0:21:43Fantastic. Where we all grew up.
0:21:43 > 0:21:48My dad used to send money home to me mother. He worked away at sea.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50When she got the money she'd go shopping.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53When she come back, we were all waiting like vultures.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57Thursday night, wasn't it? Payday! Thursday night.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00- "We're in for a feast."- We'd dive into the bag
0:22:00 > 0:22:01and we'd actually get
0:22:01 > 0:22:04the food that we liked and hide it somewhere in the house,
0:22:04 > 0:22:06so the other brothers couldn't get it!
0:22:08 > 0:22:11Food shopping in the '60s underwent a revolution.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Rather than visiting the local high street,
0:22:14 > 0:22:17more and more families were discovering the delights of the supermarket,
0:22:17 > 0:22:20which offered lots more choice at lower prices.
0:22:22 > 0:22:25What about being back here today? What's gone through your minds?
0:22:25 > 0:22:28I think the frightening thing is it's close on, for me,
0:22:28 > 0:22:31it's probably nearly 30 years since I've been back here properly,
0:22:31 > 0:22:33since my mum passed away.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35And it just...
0:22:35 > 0:22:38We've been here a little while now and you start feeling as if it is,
0:22:38 > 0:22:39this is home, really.
0:22:39 > 0:22:42Obviously where your roots were, where you were brought up.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46Seeing the streets and the closes and the areas that
0:22:46 > 0:22:49- you used to play football on, it's just...- And the people have come
0:22:49 > 0:22:52out to say hello to you, to speak to you, that's nice.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54It's amazing, after all those years.
0:22:54 > 0:22:57- After all those years.- It just means you haven't changed a bit, boys!
0:22:57 > 0:22:59LAUGHTER
0:23:01 > 0:23:04'Bernie's hoping his brothers are supportive of his desire to give
0:23:04 > 0:23:07'something back. Will they give their seal of approval?'
0:23:08 > 0:23:12How do you feel about him now wanting to help someone who,
0:23:12 > 0:23:15you know, maybe doesn't have a good start in life
0:23:15 > 0:23:17or doesn't have the trappings of wealth?
0:23:17 > 0:23:20Full of proudness and admiration. And, you know, we're so, so proud.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24Listen, I'll leave you boys to it, to reminisce.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27- I'll catch up with you a little bit later.- I look forward to that, Aled.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29Looks like you need more practice than me!
0:23:30 > 0:23:33- Cheers, Aled.- Cheers, Aled. Bye.
0:23:38 > 0:23:42Taking Bernie back to his childhood and visiting the places
0:23:42 > 0:23:45where he grew up has sparked powerful memories.
0:23:46 > 0:23:47Wow, thank you for bringing me back, Aled.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51This is just... It's just wonderful to watch and see.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53- Thank you.- Oh, it's a pleasure.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57But most importantly, it's helped focus his mind.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59How was it, going back to the old house?
0:23:59 > 0:24:01So inspirational and so emotional,
0:24:01 > 0:24:03but it's made me more determined now
0:24:03 > 0:24:05to give something back than ever before, Aled.
0:24:09 > 0:24:10Bernie is unique.
0:24:10 > 0:24:12Such a special man.
0:24:12 > 0:24:17He's obviously been inspired by his remarkable upbringing and his incredible mum.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20He just wants to give, of his time and from his heart.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22Of course, there are loads of people
0:24:22 > 0:24:24who would benefit from Bernie's generosity,
0:24:24 > 0:24:28but we think we've found somebody whose story will definitely
0:24:28 > 0:24:29resonate with him.
0:24:29 > 0:24:33She's a remarkable, inspirational young woman and there are
0:24:33 > 0:24:35definite parallels between her life and Bernie's.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37And do you know the best bit?
0:24:38 > 0:24:40She comes from his home town.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47Just a few miles from where Bernie grew up,
0:24:47 > 0:24:49on a similar Merseyside housing estate,
0:24:49 > 0:24:52lives teenage carer, Olivia, and her frail dad, Ray.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56Here you go, Dad.
0:24:56 > 0:24:57Ta.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01Olivia's life has many similarities with Bernie's own childhood.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05Just as education was so crucial to Bernie,
0:25:05 > 0:25:09Olivia also strongly believes in the importance of further education,
0:25:09 > 0:25:13and, like Bernie with his mum, cares for her elderly parents.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16With so many parallels, we've arranged for them to meet.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20I'm really excited about seeing her.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23I've heard her story and it's very similar to my story,
0:25:23 > 0:25:26and I feel there's a lot of synergy between both of us.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29And, uh, I'm going to look and see how we can explore
0:25:29 > 0:25:32possibly giving something back to her.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35The big question is, will they get on?
0:25:35 > 0:25:37This is a massively important meeting,
0:25:37 > 0:25:39which has the potential to change Olivia's future.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43Hi, Olivia. Hi, lovely to meet you.
0:25:43 > 0:25:44- You, too. Please, come in. - Thank you so much.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47Olivia thinks we're just making a programme
0:25:47 > 0:25:49about teenagers who care for their elderly parents.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53She has no idea she might be in line for a life-changing gift.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59- Lovely to meet you. - You, too.- I am really interested
0:25:59 > 0:26:01in your story with regards
0:26:01 > 0:26:04to the great work that you do behind all of your studies.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06Tell me a bit about that.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09I look after my dad.
0:26:09 > 0:26:11I've been looking after my dad since my mum left,
0:26:11 > 0:26:13because she used to look after him.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15That must have been really difficult for you.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19It really was, because I was round about 11 when I first started looking after him.
0:26:19 > 0:26:24- Wow!- I think I've grown up, like, quicker than I should have.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27You know, because teenagers would go out to parties and,
0:26:27 > 0:26:31like, have fun and I'm, like, actually looking after my dad and doing my studies.
0:26:32 > 0:26:37Olivia's dad, 78-year-old Ray, has a number of life-limiting illnesses.
0:26:37 > 0:26:42He recently suffered his third heart attack and is recovering from throat cancer.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46He totally relies on his teenage daughter.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50She basically does everything.
0:26:52 > 0:26:53I wouldn't be without her.
0:26:56 > 0:27:00Olivia is among 700,000 young carers in the United Kingdom.
0:27:00 > 0:27:01For most teenagers,
0:27:01 > 0:27:04this would be an overwhelming responsibility,
0:27:04 > 0:27:09but for Olivia it has become a normal way of life, since she was 11 years old.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14Tell me a little bit more about being a carer.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17So, in the morning I always get up at six o'clock.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19I sort my dad out first,
0:27:19 > 0:27:20so I wake him up,
0:27:20 > 0:27:23get him out of bed,
0:27:23 > 0:27:26and then I bring him downstairs and then I make his breakfast.
0:27:26 > 0:27:32And then, once he's, like, getting eating, I just go upstairs, get myself ready,
0:27:32 > 0:27:34sort out my dad's clothing,
0:27:34 > 0:27:37like, ironing or whatever needs to be done.
0:27:41 > 0:27:45I really sort of know where you're coming from, because, from my background,
0:27:45 > 0:27:49my mother was very, very ill and she had a very,
0:27:49 > 0:27:51- very terminal lung disease.- Oh.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53And I basically had to look after Mum
0:27:53 > 0:27:56from that point of view, because Dad was away.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58It is a bit of a strain, to be fair.
0:27:58 > 0:28:02- It is.- And having, and being there 24/7...- Yeah.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04..of course, and then having the balance of studies, as well.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10It's a lot for a young girl to cope with, especially as dad, Ray,
0:28:10 > 0:28:12struggles with even the simplest of things.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15She does most things.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19Makes sure that I've got all my clothes on.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24Puts me socks on for me.
0:28:25 > 0:28:26Ties me shoelaces.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32And then she, um, she goes out to college.
0:28:32 > 0:28:38But before she goes, she makes sure that I've got something for me lunch.
0:28:39 > 0:28:43Before he retired, Ray was an engineer and travelled the world.
0:28:44 > 0:28:49It's clear he couldn't now live without Olivia's dedicated and loving support.
0:28:49 > 0:28:53Is there any point where you decided, "I can't do this any more?"
0:28:53 > 0:28:55I kind of felt like that,
0:28:55 > 0:28:58because it was a lot of pressure put on, like, an 11-year-old.
0:28:58 > 0:29:03- Absolutely.- But, um, it was a lot of pressure, but, honestly,
0:29:03 > 0:29:05I think I was fine with it.
0:29:05 > 0:29:07I was like, "Right, OK, I'm going to be as tough as I can be,
0:29:07 > 0:29:11"be strong and pull through," which I've managed to do.
0:29:11 > 0:29:13I'm so, honestly, I really am in
0:29:13 > 0:29:16so much admiration of what you've achieved.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19Just like Bernie and his mum,
0:29:19 > 0:29:23Olivia and her father are completely devoted to each other.
0:29:23 > 0:29:27- Are you sure you don't want one?- Go on, then.- Here you go.
0:29:28 > 0:29:30We're really close.
0:29:30 > 0:29:34I mean, there's nothing she can't tell me
0:29:34 > 0:29:36and there's nothing I can't tell her.
0:29:36 > 0:29:40Olivia's dad is obviously very proud of her.
0:29:40 > 0:29:42And just like Bernie's mum,
0:29:42 > 0:29:45he's encouraging her to focus on her education.
0:29:45 > 0:29:49She's studying a BTEC in applied science, and, like Bernie,
0:29:49 > 0:29:52has ambitions of going to university.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56I'd really like her to, uh...
0:29:57 > 0:30:01..finish her college and then get to university.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04And get a good job.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08And that's my goal.
0:30:09 > 0:30:12Olivia does get some help from the Carers' Trust.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16But Bernie wants to explore what support he can give that could make
0:30:16 > 0:30:18a life-changing difference.
0:30:19 > 0:30:23My dad can drive, but sometimes he can't drive.
0:30:23 > 0:30:27- OK.- At all. So we wouldn't be able to get the shopping in or, like,
0:30:27 > 0:30:30I couldn't get around, I'd have to walk everywhere.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34So as soon as I turn 17 I was hoping, like, to do driving lessons,
0:30:34 > 0:30:36but it's actually pretty expensive.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40- Yeah, learning to drive is not cheap these days, is it?- No.
0:30:40 > 0:30:45And is getting to college a tricky situation with regards to
0:30:45 > 0:30:47- transportation?- Four buses a day.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49- How many?- Four.
0:30:49 > 0:30:51- Four?!- Yeah.
0:30:51 > 0:30:54Hearing just how much learning to drive could change Olivia's life is
0:30:54 > 0:30:56a huge revelation for Bernie.
0:30:56 > 0:30:59It would enable her to juggle the demands of college and caring
0:30:59 > 0:31:01for her dad.
0:31:01 > 0:31:04Tell me about, what do you do to chill out and enjoy?
0:31:04 > 0:31:07To chill out I always read books.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10I especially love to read travel novel types things, people who travel a lot,
0:31:10 > 0:31:12cos that's what my dad used to do.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15And that's what I aspire to do in my future, as well.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17Like, not just stay in one place.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20I want to, like, travel to different countries.
0:31:20 > 0:31:23- Well, I hope your dreams are going to come true for you.- Thank you.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26I am sure they are because you're working so hard.
0:31:26 > 0:31:30There are so many parallels between Bernie and Olivia's upbringings.
0:31:30 > 0:31:34This meeting has been a significant turning point in Bernie's mission to
0:31:34 > 0:31:36give something back.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39- All the very best for the future. It was lovely seeing you. - You, too.- Take care.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42- Bye-bye.- Bye.
0:31:44 > 0:31:48I can see there's an awful lot of similarities between where I've
0:31:48 > 0:31:52come from in my past and where she's going in her future
0:31:52 > 0:31:54and I feel there's a kindred spirit between us.
0:31:54 > 0:31:57I could sense that while I was actually speaking to her.
0:32:02 > 0:32:06Meeting Olivia has had a massive impact on Bernie.
0:32:06 > 0:32:08But before he can decide whether he can help her,
0:32:08 > 0:32:11he needs to talk this important decision through with someone
0:32:11 > 0:32:13very close to his heart.
0:32:15 > 0:32:19Thanks for meeting me today. I really appreciate it, I know you've got a busy schedule.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21You're welcome.
0:32:21 > 0:32:23Bernie's 23-year-old son, Lewis,
0:32:23 > 0:32:26is currently studying at Liverpool University.
0:32:26 > 0:32:30For Bernie, his support in making this decision is crucial.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34- What have you been up to?- I've been spending a bit of time going back to
0:32:34 > 0:32:39my childhood and yesterday I spent some time in my childhood home
0:32:39 > 0:32:44in Speke, which was, you know, really, for me,
0:32:44 > 0:32:49it brought everything back from when I was living with Mum and Dad and my
0:32:49 > 0:32:54brothers, and that led me to meeting an amazing young lady this morning,
0:32:54 > 0:32:59called Olivia. She actually cares for her father.
0:32:59 > 0:33:00Her father's very, very unwell.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03I'm sorry to hear that.
0:33:03 > 0:33:06Yeah, but she's a really, really strong lady.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09She's doing a great job looking after her father,
0:33:09 > 0:33:13but she's obviously struggling with the educational side of it, as well.
0:33:13 > 0:33:17Because she's doing her AS-levels at the moment and you know the
0:33:17 > 0:33:21- struggle you have when you're actually trying to revise for these particular examinations.- Yeah.
0:33:21 > 0:33:23So she's got to balance
0:33:23 > 0:33:27the actual situation with her dad with her studies.
0:33:27 > 0:33:31I don't know how I'd be able to manage with that, really.
0:33:31 > 0:33:33That... That sounds really tough.
0:33:33 > 0:33:37Do you think you see a lot of yourself in Olivia?
0:33:37 > 0:33:40It must have been really hard going back to your parents' house.
0:33:40 > 0:33:44I do see Olivia's situation mirroring my situation when I went
0:33:44 > 0:33:47back and the journey I went through yesterday
0:33:47 > 0:33:50really re-enforced to me that helping
0:33:50 > 0:33:53somebody like Olivia, because I'm in a position to do so,
0:33:53 > 0:33:54I think is the right thing to do.
0:33:54 > 0:33:56So how do you feel about that?
0:33:56 > 0:34:00It's amazing what you're doing. I support you, as always.
0:34:00 > 0:34:02And, yeah, so proud of you.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06Knowing he's got the support of his family means a lot to Bernie.
0:34:07 > 0:34:10By introducing him to Olivia,
0:34:10 > 0:34:12we found someone he feels is a kindred spirit.
0:34:14 > 0:34:17We've gone back, now Bernie needs to go forward,
0:34:17 > 0:34:19but he's got a huge decision to make.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22What can he actually do to help Olivia?
0:34:22 > 0:34:24It's the final piece of the jigsaw.
0:34:38 > 0:34:41It's been a week since I last met Bernie.
0:34:41 > 0:34:45In that time, he has met up with the very hard-working and caring Olivia.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48They've got a lot in common - they've both got big hearts,
0:34:48 > 0:34:50both from similar backgrounds.
0:34:50 > 0:34:53The main difference, I suppose, is that Bernie's financially stable,
0:34:53 > 0:34:55Olivia isn't.
0:34:55 > 0:34:56I'm not saying money's everything,
0:34:56 > 0:34:59but it would definitely give Olivia that independence that she
0:34:59 > 0:35:03desperately craves. She gets that, I reckon the world is her oyster.
0:35:03 > 0:35:07It seems to me that Bernie has a big decision to make,
0:35:07 > 0:35:09one that could change Olivia's life for ever.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16I'm meeting Bernie in the park
0:35:16 > 0:35:18round the corner from Olivia's college,
0:35:18 > 0:35:20where she's currently in lessons.
0:35:20 > 0:35:24It's crunch time - what exactly has Bernie decided to do?
0:35:24 > 0:35:27- How are you?- Hi, Aled, I'm great, thank you.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29- You were miles away then. - Yeah, I was, yeah!
0:35:29 > 0:35:31- Got the coffees in, as well? - Yeah, I got the coffees in.
0:35:31 > 0:35:33Good on you. Lovely to see you again.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36- It's been a week, it's gone quickly. - Yeah, it's gone quick.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38- You've met Olivia.- I have, yeah.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41Million-dollar question, I suppose, can you help her in any way?
0:35:41 > 0:35:42- Definitely.- Oh, good.
0:35:42 > 0:35:46Oh, yeah, for sure. I think I can help her in regards to some of
0:35:46 > 0:35:47the things she's mentioned to me.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49We've been having a great discussion.
0:35:49 > 0:35:51- OK.- I found out really,
0:35:51 > 0:35:54really early on in our conversation that having independence and freedom
0:35:54 > 0:35:57- to her, means an awful lot to her. - Yeah.
0:35:57 > 0:36:01It takes a long time to get to college on buses and so forth,
0:36:01 > 0:36:05and that resonated with me, when I was that age.
0:36:05 > 0:36:10So I think I'd love to help her with regards to some driving lessons.
0:36:10 > 0:36:12She's just started driving lessons at the moment,
0:36:12 > 0:36:16- but she doesn't have the funds to complete that course.- OK.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19So I'm going to cover the cost of £1,000.
0:36:19 > 0:36:21- Hey!- For her driving lessons and test.
0:36:21 > 0:36:25And hope there'll be a little bit left to get her her first car.
0:36:25 > 0:36:29To give her that independence that she really yearns for, to be fair, Aled.
0:36:29 > 0:36:31- How fantastic!- Yeah.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33- She'll be over the moon. - I hope so, I hope so.
0:36:33 > 0:36:35Because it means so much to her,
0:36:35 > 0:36:38and I think that will really get her onto the launch pad of where she wants to go,
0:36:38 > 0:36:40from an independence point of view.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42Because she hasn't seen much of life, really, because of
0:36:42 > 0:36:46the caring and everything that she's had to do.
0:36:46 > 0:36:49She's been so dedicated to her father and her studies, and, again,
0:36:49 > 0:36:50in our conversations,
0:36:50 > 0:36:55what came out is that she really has got a desire to travel the world.
0:36:55 > 0:36:57And I think I can help her with that, as well.
0:36:57 > 0:37:02- What do you mean?- Well, I take regular groups of people volunteering over to Kenya.
0:37:02 > 0:37:06What I'm going to do is offer her the opportunity to have an
0:37:06 > 0:37:12all-expenses-paid trip, up to the tune of about £1,200, to Kenya,
0:37:12 > 0:37:13with one of my volunteering groups.
0:37:13 > 0:37:15- Wow!- Yeah.
0:37:15 > 0:37:19She'll enjoy eight days, all expenses paid, flights over to Kenya.
0:37:19 > 0:37:24Going to see some amazing communities that she was talking about -
0:37:24 > 0:37:26she wanted to see different cultures.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30So I'm going to explore...she'll explore the cultures of Kenya.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32And also the wildlife.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34- How amazing.- Yeah, and
0:37:34 > 0:37:37hopefully she'll be delighted with that particular opportunity as well.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40I think she will, don't you? I'm jealous myself!
0:37:40 > 0:37:42You didn't ask me to come along, did you?
0:37:42 > 0:37:45- No, I didn't! - Let's tell her, shall we?
0:37:45 > 0:37:49This is going to be brilliant. Can't wait. It's going to be awesome.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51It's time to come clean to Olivia.
0:37:51 > 0:37:54This is a life-changing moment.
0:37:54 > 0:37:58So, the big question is, how on earth is she going to react?
0:38:01 > 0:38:02Here we are, back at college!
0:38:02 > 0:38:06- Yeah, wow.- She's just finishing off her last class of the day.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09And you've arranged to meet just for a chat.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11- Right.- She's got no idea that I'm here.
0:38:11 > 0:38:13I cannot wait to see her face.
0:38:13 > 0:38:15In front of all her friends, as well!
0:38:15 > 0:38:19- How are you feeling?- A little nervous, I have to say, a bit apprehensive.
0:38:19 > 0:38:21But I put my thoughts down on paper,
0:38:21 > 0:38:25so I'm going to hand her a letter with my thoughts on.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28- Oh, I hope she's excited! - I hope she will be.
0:38:28 > 0:38:29Right, this is the classroom.
0:38:33 > 0:38:36- Hi!- How are you doing, you all right?- Yeah.
0:38:36 > 0:38:38Come and say hello to me.
0:38:39 > 0:38:41I'm Aled.
0:38:41 > 0:38:42I'm from the BBC, nice to see you.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44Don't look so scared!
0:38:44 > 0:38:46- You know this man, of course, don't you?- Yeah.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49- So you thought we were filming a programme about teenage carers.- Mm.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52We haven't been totally honest with you, OK.
0:38:52 > 0:38:53Don't look at me like that!
0:38:53 > 0:38:55You explain more, Bernie, go on.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57Yeah. Well,
0:38:57 > 0:39:00I was so moved by really hearing your story the other day at home.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02And it really moved me.
0:39:02 > 0:39:07And what I'd like to do is, I've actually prepared a note for you today.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10- OK.- Which I'd like you to read out, which really says it all.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12So thank you so much.
0:39:12 > 0:39:13It's exciting, isn't it?
0:39:15 > 0:39:16"Dearest Olivia,
0:39:16 > 0:39:20"after meeting you and hearing your story of unconditional love and
0:39:20 > 0:39:22"devotion to your poorly dad,
0:39:22 > 0:39:24"you have truly moved me in a very special way.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29"I can see that, in the very short time I've met you,
0:39:29 > 0:39:32"you are a wonderful human being, caring, loving and smart.
0:39:33 > 0:39:37"You spoke colourfully about having more independence,
0:39:37 > 0:39:40"which could free up more time to spend with your dad and manage your
0:39:40 > 0:39:44"studies. You also spoke of one day having the opportunity
0:39:44 > 0:39:48"to explore the world and experience different cultures.
0:39:48 > 0:39:50"So, firstly, I'd like to get you on the road,
0:39:50 > 0:39:52"and I would like you to accept...
0:39:52 > 0:39:55"£1,000 to...
0:39:58 > 0:40:02..to cover the cost of your driving lessons, test fee, and I hope,
0:40:02 > 0:40:06"a little left towards owning your first car and giving you that freedom and
0:40:06 > 0:40:08"independence you crave.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12"And secondly, I will cover the cost of a £1,200
0:40:12 > 0:40:16"all-expenses-paid holiday to Kenya next year after your studies.
0:40:16 > 0:40:17"During your eight-day visit,
0:40:17 > 0:40:21"you'll experience a true African safari in the magnificent Rift Valley,
0:40:21 > 0:40:24"where you'll meet and feed baby elephants.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26"Olivia, thank you from the bottom of my heart.
0:40:26 > 0:40:30"You have rebooted my inspirational hard drive,
0:40:30 > 0:40:32"for which I'm so grateful."
0:40:32 > 0:40:33Thank you...
0:40:33 > 0:40:35Aw...! How do you feel?
0:40:38 > 0:40:41Happy? Aw, bless your heart.
0:40:41 > 0:40:43It's amazing, isn't it?
0:40:43 > 0:40:45Well, YOU'RE amazing.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48How much is...? I'm welling up here myself!
0:40:48 > 0:40:51And your friends are definitely welling up behind you!
0:40:51 > 0:40:52LAUGHTER AND TEARS
0:40:52 > 0:40:55What sort of difference is this going to make to you?
0:40:55 > 0:40:57It's going to make so much difference.
0:40:57 > 0:40:58In what way?
0:41:00 > 0:41:04Just, like, it's a lot of help, and to get away, as well...
0:41:05 > 0:41:07And how do you feel about Kenya?
0:41:07 > 0:41:09Oh, that's amazing!
0:41:09 > 0:41:12It's going to be a bit of a change for you.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15And that car's going to make such a difference to your life, as well,
0:41:15 > 0:41:17- isn't it?- Definitely.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21It's been an absolute honour and an absolute pleasure that I can
0:41:21 > 0:41:22actually help you on your way,
0:41:22 > 0:41:26with regards to the small gift that I have given you today.
0:41:26 > 0:41:28It's not small!
0:41:28 > 0:41:29I wish it was a lot more,
0:41:29 > 0:41:32but I'm sure it's going to get you on the right path to your future
0:41:32 > 0:41:35- success.- Thank you so much. - It's a pleasure.
0:41:35 > 0:41:38- Aw...- Thank you. - I love a happy ending!
0:41:38 > 0:41:40And so do your friends.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43They're thinking now, "She can drive us around, it'll be brilliant!"
0:41:43 > 0:41:45The only thing I'd say is, unfortunately,
0:41:45 > 0:41:49that letter doesn't get you off the rest of your chemistry lessons,
0:41:49 > 0:41:53so you'd better get to it! Get that Bunsen burner back on and pass your
0:41:53 > 0:41:55studies. We'll leave you to it.
0:41:55 > 0:41:57OK. Thank you so much.
0:41:57 > 0:41:59- Thank you.- Come on, shall we?
0:41:59 > 0:42:00Absolutely.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03I'm going to cry!
0:42:05 > 0:42:07Awwww... I'm speech...
0:42:07 > 0:42:10I don't know what to say! I just don't know what to say.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13Obviously, I had no idea what was going on.
0:42:13 > 0:42:17As soon as he walked through the door and said my name, I was, like,
0:42:17 > 0:42:19shocked, like, I had no idea.
0:42:19 > 0:42:24It really fills me full of joy when I saw Olivia's reaction to the small
0:42:24 > 0:42:26gift that I gave her.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28Kenya!
0:42:28 > 0:42:29Kenya!
0:42:31 > 0:42:34I don't think I deserve this at all. I don't think I do.
0:42:34 > 0:42:37I've, right now, got a lot of emotions running through me.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40I'm shaking and so happy right now.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42It's unbelievable.
0:42:43 > 0:42:47I think it really is a suitable way to finish my journey as where
0:42:47 > 0:42:49I've got to today.
0:42:56 > 0:42:59You know, it's been really great getting to know Bernie,
0:42:59 > 0:43:00I think he's a top man.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03He's spent his whole life, through his actions, honouring his mother,
0:43:03 > 0:43:06who sacrificed so much for him.
0:43:06 > 0:43:09She taught her son to help those less fortunate.
0:43:09 > 0:43:12How brilliant it's been watching him go back and do just that.
0:43:12 > 0:43:15He's offered Olivia that lifeline of independence.
0:43:15 > 0:43:16I wish her well.