0:00:03 > 0:00:07One of the things I love about us Brits is our spirit of generosity.
0:00:07 > 0:00:08If I can give back to somebody
0:00:08 > 0:00:11who had a similar struggle to my own,
0:00:11 > 0:00:12then that's what I'd like to do.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16Last year, nearly three-quarters of us gave to charity.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19But what if you had the chance to go back
0:00:19 > 0:00:21and relive moments from your past?
0:00:21 > 0:00:22I wish I was 18 again!
0:00:22 > 0:00:24LAUGHTER
0:00:24 > 0:00:28- I'm expecting Mum and Dad to walk out now and say hello.- 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 > 0:00:36that I went through at the beginning.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38If I can give something to somebody else and change their lives,
0:00:38 > 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 > 0:00:53'There'll be surprises...'
0:00:53 > 0:00:54How are you?
0:00:57 > 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...'
0:01:03 > 0:01:06Aaah... We're all crying!
0:01:06 > 0:01:09- Do you need a hug as well? - Yeah, thanks!
0:01:09 > 0:01:12- '..forever.'- Wa-hey! That was brilliant!
0:01:12 > 0:01:15Somebody that just does that for people, it's just amazing.
0:01:15 > 0:01:16It really is.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18This is Going Back Giving Back.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31Today, I'm going back to 1970s Leeds
0:01:31 > 0:01:35to hear the story of a brave, courageous and inspirational man.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38But it's the events of his childhood that's driving him
0:01:38 > 0:01:40to want to help somebody else today.
0:01:42 > 0:01:44Can a man whose young life was left devastated
0:01:44 > 0:01:49by one of the most brutal killers of our time really learn to forgive?
0:01:49 > 0:01:51- Do you forgive him?- Oh, absolutely.
0:01:51 > 0:01:52Really?
0:01:52 > 0:01:56Your reaction there is what a lot of people would, understandably...
0:01:56 > 0:01:59If he'd killed my mum, I don't think I could ever forgive him.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02'We reunite him with a man who threw him a lifeline
0:02:02 > 0:02:03'when he'd hit rock bottom.'
0:02:03 > 0:02:04Very nice to see you.
0:02:04 > 0:02:09I remember walking out of here, and going, "Yes!" I was walking on air.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12Can he help and inspire a young woman
0:02:12 > 0:02:14who's also had a troubled youth?
0:02:14 > 0:02:16I'm not one of these people that I feel sorry for myself,
0:02:16 > 0:02:20but I know that I have had quite a hard upbringing so far.
0:02:20 > 0:02:24And the tension mounts as we reveal a massive surprise.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26INDISTINCT
0:02:26 > 0:02:28- I'm going to cry, myself!- So am I!
0:02:33 > 0:02:34I've come to Leeds...
0:02:35 > 0:02:37..to hear the remarkable story
0:02:37 > 0:02:42of how one man overcame a truly harrowing childhood.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47The man I'm about to meet certainly does have a tragic tale to tell.
0:02:47 > 0:02:49It started when he was just five years old,
0:02:49 > 0:02:51and his mother became the first victim
0:02:51 > 0:02:54of one of the most notorious serial killers in our time.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57But, you know, the tragic event made him the man he is today.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00He now dedicates his life to inspiring others,
0:03:00 > 0:03:02and I really can't wait to meet him.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08Today, 46-year-old Richard is a highly sought-after public speaker
0:03:08 > 0:03:12who travels the world giving motivational talks to schools,
0:03:12 > 0:03:14businesses and communities.
0:03:15 > 0:03:19He lives in a leafy suburb of Leeds with his wife and three children.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24- Richard, how are you?- How are you? - Good, thanks, nice to meet you.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27- Come in.- Thank you very much. I'll close the door behind me.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33But what's motivating you to want to do this today?
0:03:33 > 0:03:36Well, I think for a lot of my journey I've always felt like
0:03:36 > 0:03:37a bit of an underdog,
0:03:37 > 0:03:41so if along the way I get the opportunity to work with,
0:03:41 > 0:03:44maybe inspire and help an underdog along the way, why wouldn't I?
0:03:44 > 0:03:47- I had a very tough childhood, and... - You certainly did.
0:03:47 > 0:03:48I know what that feels like.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51Take us back to that... that tough childhood, if you can.
0:03:51 > 0:03:52The first five years were tough.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54We were on the at-risk register, you know,
0:03:54 > 0:03:56we'd lots of alcohol in the house, er...
0:03:56 > 0:03:58We had nothing in the way of money.
0:03:58 > 0:04:03It was a tough start, then of course things got a whole lot worse...
0:04:03 > 0:04:05a week before my sixth birthday.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10It was an unimaginably tough start to life.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15Richard's mother, Wilma, would regularly go out drinking.
0:04:15 > 0:04:17His dad wasn't around.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20So she often left the oldest sister, Sonia,
0:04:20 > 0:04:23to look after him and his two younger sisters.
0:04:24 > 0:04:30Then, one night, in October 1975, their mum didn't come back.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34I'll never forget it. I'll never forget being woken up.
0:04:34 > 0:04:36Mum had been out drinking, and...
0:04:36 > 0:04:38Sonia woke me up to tell me that Mum had not come home,
0:04:38 > 0:04:41and, "Let's go, let's go, try and find her,"
0:04:41 > 0:04:46and we wandered the streets and sat on the bus stop waiting for Mum.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52It was 5am, still dark, and very cold.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56Dressed in just their pyjamas, five-year-old Richard,
0:04:56 > 0:04:58and Sonia, just seven,
0:04:58 > 0:05:01waited patiently at the bus stop for their mother...
0:05:02 > 0:05:05..unaware she was never coming back.
0:05:06 > 0:05:07Later that morning,
0:05:07 > 0:05:11police took Richard and his three sisters to a local children's home.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16But they still had no idea what had happened.
0:05:18 > 0:05:19When I arrived at the children's home,
0:05:19 > 0:05:23I was convinced that when they said, "Can you come into the visitors' room,"
0:05:23 > 0:05:26I was convinced she was going to be there. Went in there, and of course she wasn't there.
0:05:26 > 0:05:31And it's around this time that we were told by a plainclothes officer
0:05:31 > 0:05:34that Mum had not come home, that we weren't going to see her again.
0:05:34 > 0:05:35That was...
0:05:38 > 0:05:41Well, that was the moment that life as I knew it changed.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45As a little boy, Richard was simply told his mother had gone.
0:05:47 > 0:05:51It was years later that he learned the shocking truth.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55After spending the evening drinking, his mum, Wilma McCann,
0:05:55 > 0:05:58had accepted a lift from a stranger,
0:05:58 > 0:06:01but it was to have a catastrophic consequence.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07That stranger was the notorious Yorkshire Ripper,
0:06:07 > 0:06:10and Richard's mum became his first murder victim.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13What's really profound to me is when I think back...
0:06:13 > 0:06:17Me telling myself that mum had been taken... This is crazy...
0:06:17 > 0:06:20She'd been taken by God as a sacrifice to give us a better life.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23- Right.- That's what I told myself.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26It's amazing, cos a lot of people watching might think,
0:06:26 > 0:06:29with what you've had to go through in your life...
0:06:29 > 0:06:32You know, how have you managed to come out the other end positive?
0:06:33 > 0:06:36- HE SIGHS - Um...
0:06:37 > 0:06:39Well, to me it's quite simple.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41I had a hell of a difficult childhood,
0:06:41 > 0:06:46I lost my mum in a very tragic way, and I was in a very dark place,
0:06:46 > 0:06:48and I just worked out, as a young kid,
0:06:48 > 0:06:50and I have done ever since, that...
0:06:50 > 0:06:53listen, to make this a little bit easier to cope with,
0:06:53 > 0:06:56think about it in a positive way. That is almost like common sense.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59Richard's positive outlook is amazing,
0:06:59 > 0:07:02and has carried him through some tough times.
0:07:02 > 0:07:06Following the loss of his mother, he struggled with low self-esteem,
0:07:06 > 0:07:09and at one point even ended up in prison.
0:07:11 > 0:07:12But, along the way,
0:07:12 > 0:07:15he's always found people who've lent him a helping hand.
0:07:15 > 0:07:19And now he wants to do the same for someone else.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22In what way do you want to help somebody now, then?
0:07:22 > 0:07:24Well, I've always tried to help people on the way,
0:07:24 > 0:07:27right from my childhood, right through going through life,
0:07:27 > 0:07:29so to be given the opportunity today, to...
0:07:29 > 0:07:31once again help somebody, but hopefully,
0:07:31 > 0:07:34you know, maybe in a life-changing way, I mean, why wouldn't you?
0:07:34 > 0:07:37If I'm able to, it just makes sense to do that.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39Well, listen, in order for you to give back,
0:07:39 > 0:07:40I think first we need to go back,
0:07:40 > 0:07:43so if you're willing to come on this little journey with me,
0:07:43 > 0:07:46- I think we should do it right now. - Let's go.- Come on.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54'This is going to be a very sensitive journey into the past for Richard,
0:07:54 > 0:07:58'but it's something he wants to do, and we're hoping it'll guide him
0:07:58 > 0:08:02'to make a decision of how he can help someone else today.'
0:08:02 > 0:08:04Any idea where we might be heading off to?
0:08:04 > 0:08:07Well, we're heading to central Leeds,
0:08:07 > 0:08:09so we could be going to one or two places I've worked...
0:08:09 > 0:08:13Well, all will become clear very shortly, I'm sure.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16Our route takes us through Chapeltown,
0:08:16 > 0:08:18the neighbourhood where Richard grew up,
0:08:18 > 0:08:22and where his mother spent her last evening.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24And here is...
0:08:24 > 0:08:27Well, it's not now, but it used to be called The Room At The Top...
0:08:27 > 0:08:31- and that is where Mum had her last drink.- Right.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33And we are, actually literally,
0:08:33 > 0:08:35- three minutes in the car up the road from where we lived.- Right.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39So she thumbed a lift just over there to get home.
0:08:39 > 0:08:40She could have walked it.
0:08:40 > 0:08:42- Yeah.- She could have walked it.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46Just down the road from where his mum disappeared
0:08:46 > 0:08:49is the children's home where he and his sisters were brought
0:08:49 > 0:08:52on the morning after their mother's death.
0:08:54 > 0:08:55Let's pop out, shall we?
0:09:00 > 0:09:03This place must have been massive for a five-year-old.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05- It looks big now.- It does!
0:09:05 > 0:09:08But if you can imagine four kids arriving here...
0:09:08 > 0:09:10We got took into that front door.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14- So, all the kids were upstairs in this building.- Yeah.- But we...
0:09:14 > 0:09:17We were kept together on the ground floor, to the right,
0:09:17 > 0:09:20I don't know if it's there now, but it was like an extension,
0:09:20 > 0:09:23and they put three beds and a cot in there, so we were kept together.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26- Which was great for us four. - Yeah.- So...
0:09:26 > 0:09:29- That must have been some comfort, then, mustn't it?- It was.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33The day after they arrived, Richard and his sisters had a visitor -
0:09:33 > 0:09:36their dad, who they hadn't seen for a few months.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42From then on, he started visiting them most weekends,
0:09:42 > 0:09:47though Richard soon learned that his father couldn't always be relied on.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49In fact, I remember looking out of that window, that front window,
0:09:49 > 0:09:53waiting for my dad to come and collect us on a Saturday afternoon,
0:09:53 > 0:09:56and he didn't turn up. I remember being disappointed.
0:09:56 > 0:09:57Why didn't he turn up?
0:09:57 > 0:10:01- I don't know. Probably drinking, I expect.- Right, OK.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03But, hey-ho.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06- Well, shall we get on with it and carry on?- Let's go.- Come on.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12'After two months in the children's home,
0:10:12 > 0:10:14'Richard's dad found them a new house,'
0:10:14 > 0:10:16and Richard and his sisters went to live with him.
0:10:18 > 0:10:19But, as they grew up,
0:10:19 > 0:10:23the circumstances of their mother's death remained a mystery.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27Not finding out what had happened to your mum,
0:10:27 > 0:10:30or who had murdered her, for so many years,
0:10:30 > 0:10:32must have been so difficult for you, as well.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34Not putting closure on it, almost.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37Yeah, I mean, we weren't even allowed to go to Mum's funeral.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39In fact, it wasn't until I was 16
0:10:39 > 0:10:41- that I was told where she was buried.- God!
0:10:41 > 0:10:43So it took me ten years to say goodbye, but...
0:10:43 > 0:10:45Yeah, um...
0:10:46 > 0:10:49It was almost, like, brushed under the carpet in our house,
0:10:49 > 0:10:51the house that we then got brought up in with my dad,
0:10:51 > 0:10:52- and it was like a taboo subject. - Right.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55But of course it was such a massive news story,
0:10:55 > 0:10:56you couldn't get away from it.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58So I kind of bottled it up inside,
0:10:58 > 0:11:01and obviously, that had a detrimental effect on me.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06His mother's death cast a long shadow over Richard's life.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10Even when the Yorkshire Ripper, Peter Sutcliffe,
0:11:10 > 0:11:14was finally convicted of her murder and that of 12 other women,
0:11:14 > 0:11:16it was small comfort to Richard.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20'A jury of six men and six women took nearly six hours
0:11:20 > 0:11:22'to reach their verdict.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25'As each of the 13 women's names was read out, the answer was the same.'
0:11:25 > 0:11:30By a majority of 10 to 2, guilty of murder on all charges.'
0:11:30 > 0:11:34How did you feel when you found out it was Peter Sutcliffe?
0:11:34 > 0:11:37My mum was gone, that was it, I'd lost my mum, and, you know...
0:11:37 > 0:11:39Him being arrested, of course, as an adult looking back at that,
0:11:39 > 0:11:42him being arrested was a very positive thing to have happened,
0:11:42 > 0:11:45but... Back then as a kid, it just...
0:11:45 > 0:11:50It didn't change anything for me or us, it didn't bring Mum back.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54Richard has spent four decades struggling with his feelings
0:11:54 > 0:11:56of loss and rage.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58But he's emerged from that struggle
0:11:58 > 0:12:01with a sense of positivity that's simply astonishing.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06I used to be angry about him. I'm not angry any more.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09It's... It's not there, I let it go.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13I actually let it go after listening to Desmond Tutu about forgiveness.
0:12:13 > 0:12:17Er... And I realised that I'd held on to that anger for...
0:12:17 > 0:12:19for decades.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21And I let it go that day.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23And how did you feel then?
0:12:24 > 0:12:25Well, I felt...
0:12:25 > 0:12:29I actually felt... I don't know, spiritual. I felt...
0:12:29 > 0:12:33connected to, er... a deeper part of me,
0:12:33 > 0:12:37and a realisation that I had that...
0:12:37 > 0:12:40ability and power to let that go, AND forgive, in fact.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42- Do you forgive him?- Oh, absolutely.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45- Really?- Abso... I've...
0:12:45 > 0:12:46Now, forgiveness...
0:12:46 > 0:12:48Your reaction there...
0:12:48 > 0:12:51is what a lot of people would, understandably...
0:12:51 > 0:12:53If he'd killed my mum, I don't think I could ever forgive him.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56But it just raises the question what forgiveness is.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58What is forgiveness?
0:12:58 > 0:13:01Forgiveness for me is about the anger that I had held...
0:13:01 > 0:13:03- Right.- And I've let it go.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08Today, Richard puts his remarkable positivity to good use
0:13:08 > 0:13:11as a motivational speaker who tours the world.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16But the path to forgiveness has been a long and hard one.
0:13:18 > 0:13:21As a child, Richard spent years living with a fear
0:13:21 > 0:13:24that the Yorkshire Ripper would come back for him,
0:13:24 > 0:13:28and one of the few places he felt safe and secure was at school.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33- Was it a good school?- I've got some good memories of this school.
0:13:33 > 0:13:36- Have you?- Used to walk down there, actually, going to school.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39'It was here that one inspirational teacher gave Richard
0:13:39 > 0:13:42'a glimpse of the successful career that lay ahead of him.'
0:13:44 > 0:13:47- You've spotted this man. - I've spotted this man, it's...
0:13:47 > 0:13:51It's Mr Hill. Geoff, how are you?
0:13:51 > 0:13:54'Mr Hill was Richard's English teacher at his secondary school.'
0:13:54 > 0:13:56So we've brought him back to a place he was...
0:13:56 > 0:13:59- Well, you were happy at, weren't you?- Yes, I was, actually, yeah.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01And what was he like as a pupil?
0:14:01 > 0:14:03- Ooh... - THEY LAUGH
0:14:03 > 0:14:07- A bit of a bright spark.- Oh, really? - Yeah. Always had something...
0:14:08 > 0:14:10..interesting to say, wanted to chip in.
0:14:10 > 0:14:11I think back then...
0:14:11 > 0:14:14part of the mask I would put on was that kind of...
0:14:14 > 0:14:17Someone with a bit of a sense of humour,
0:14:17 > 0:14:19- trying to make people giggle, if I recall.- Yeah, yeah.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22- But really it was... - Nightmare for a teacher!
0:14:22 > 0:14:23It was all a front, really,
0:14:23 > 0:14:26to cover up what was the reality of the situation.
0:14:26 > 0:14:27- Of course.- Yeah.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30But, um...you saw something in him.
0:14:31 > 0:14:32Um... Well, we, um...
0:14:32 > 0:14:36We had this thing every year called the public speaking competition,
0:14:36 > 0:14:38and, um...
0:14:38 > 0:14:42as head of English, one of my jobs was to actually organise this.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46And Richard, as I said, he was one of those bright, sparky kids,
0:14:46 > 0:14:48I thought, "You could probably do this."
0:14:48 > 0:14:51- It was terrifying.- Mm-hm. - But, you know what, I did it.
0:14:51 > 0:14:52What did you talk about?
0:14:52 > 0:14:54I spoke about, er...
0:14:54 > 0:14:56Well, pigeons, racing pigeons. My dad...
0:14:56 > 0:15:00- It was like Kes with his kestrel, my dad raced racing pigeons.- OK.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04Um...and that's what I chose to speak about,
0:15:04 > 0:15:07- and I took a pigeon with me, that was...- Wow!
0:15:07 > 0:15:10- That's the thing I remember. - The bombshell. Not bombshell, the...
0:15:10 > 0:15:14At the end, you came out to the side of the hall, didn't you,
0:15:14 > 0:15:17- with the fire doors there...- Yeah. - ..and opened the door, and said,
0:15:17 > 0:15:20"Right, I'm going to let the pigeon go now, and it will fly home,"
0:15:20 > 0:15:24and it went, and I can picture now, all these kids' faces
0:15:24 > 0:15:28going like that, watching it circling, and it zoomed off.
0:15:28 > 0:15:33- Cos you actually had them there, they were all listening.- Really?
0:15:33 > 0:15:34Yeah.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37- I sat down and I thought, "Glad that's over."- What happened then?
0:15:37 > 0:15:40Well...what happened then was, I don't know if it was the next day
0:15:40 > 0:15:45or soon after, but they announced that I'd gone and won it.
0:15:45 > 0:15:46'Even today,
0:15:46 > 0:15:50'when he's travelling the world doing his motivational speeches,
0:15:50 > 0:15:54'the memory of his 13-year-old self always comes back to him.'
0:15:54 > 0:15:57It was inside you to start with, and all I did was give you
0:15:57 > 0:16:00a little opportunity, and you've made the most of that.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02Yeah, it's amazing how that happens, isn't it?
0:16:02 > 0:16:05That tiny little seed of encouragement...
0:16:05 > 0:16:08- can make something amazing grow. - Mmm.
0:16:08 > 0:16:09It really is...
0:16:09 > 0:16:12Well, thank you for meeting us here.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14We've got another bit of the journey to go on,
0:16:14 > 0:16:16- a few more surprises, if you don't mind.- Yeah.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18So we'll have to jump in the car,
0:16:18 > 0:16:20- and you two can catch up at a later date.- Yeah.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23- All right, see you later.- All the best, yeah.- Fantastic to see you.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25- Thank you.- Take care.- Great, bye.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31Coming up, our team have been on the case,
0:16:31 > 0:16:34looking for someone whose story will hopefully resonate with Richard.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37And we think we've found them.
0:16:39 > 0:16:42She's an inspiring young woman who also faced a difficult childhood.
0:16:43 > 0:16:45And how many T-shirts is that?
0:16:45 > 0:16:48She thinks we're making a programme about people who've been in care.
0:16:48 > 0:16:53She has no idea she could be in for a life-changing act of generosity.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57After leaving school,
0:16:57 > 0:17:00Richard drifted through a series of dead-end jobs.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03He didn't know it, but he was heading for disaster.
0:17:05 > 0:17:06The guys at work were, er...
0:17:07 > 0:17:11..going out, taking drugs, and I foolishly went along with them.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15I lost my job eventually.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17In fact, two of my friends died, um...
0:17:18 > 0:17:21..from the drug-taking, but I ended up dealing drugs to my friends,
0:17:21 > 0:17:22and...
0:17:22 > 0:17:25I take responsibility for what I did, I started taking drugs,
0:17:25 > 0:17:28which led on to dealing drugs, but that was down to me.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30That was my choice.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32I got arrested, and I got sent to the very same place
0:17:32 > 0:17:34that Peter Sutcliffe was sent.
0:17:34 > 0:17:36- God!- Armley Prison.
0:17:37 > 0:17:41In 1997, Richard served six months in prison for drug dealing.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43He'd reached rock bottom.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46But prison gave him a chance to take stock of his life.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50So whilst I was in there, I was kind of getting my head down,
0:17:50 > 0:17:53did what I had to do, stayed away from the drugs in prison.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57And, you know, to some degree, it was the making of me.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00- Right.- Well, not the making of me, but it was the thing that...
0:18:00 > 0:18:03- got me back on track.- Uh-huh. - Eventually.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06I mean, going to prison, I was determined not to go back there.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11Even after he was released, Richard's troubles weren't over.
0:18:12 > 0:18:15With no job, and no money to pay his mortgage,
0:18:15 > 0:18:17'he was in danger of losing his house.'
0:18:19 > 0:18:24Finding work as an ex-convict wasn't easy, but Richard wouldn't give up.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28Where we're going now...
0:18:28 > 0:18:30If I'm not mistaken, on the left...
0:18:30 > 0:18:33is where I went for my final interview...
0:18:33 > 0:18:35a week before my house was repossessed from me,
0:18:35 > 0:18:38- that's how close it was.- Phew! - It was the final week.
0:18:38 > 0:18:40- Nobody would give me a job...- Yeah.
0:18:40 > 0:18:42Nobody, I must've been on 25 interviews.
0:18:44 > 0:18:45So this was it.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48'When Richard turned up here 19 years ago,
0:18:48 > 0:18:52'after a string of rejections and in danger of losing his house,
0:18:52 > 0:18:54'it was make-or-break time.'
0:18:54 > 0:18:57You're already shaking! ALED LAUGHS
0:18:57 > 0:18:59Do you recognise that man?
0:18:59 > 0:19:02'Back in 1997, Lawrence was the owner
0:19:02 > 0:19:04'of a local garment business.
0:19:04 > 0:19:07'He was looking for a new warehouse supervisor
0:19:07 > 0:19:09'when Richard turned up for an interview.'
0:19:09 > 0:19:13- The old office, remember that? - Yeah, certainly do.- I was going to say, do YOU remember it?- I do.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15- I got brought in by this agency, if you remember.- Yeah.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18Sat me down, went in there and spoke to you, and I was sat there,
0:19:18 > 0:19:21like, thinking, this is the last chance saloon, and, er...
0:19:21 > 0:19:23and then you...called me in.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26Called you in there, I think we had a nice little chat.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29I think we'd been a couple of minutes, I said, "You want the job?"
0:19:29 > 0:19:31- You offered me a job! - How did you feel?
0:19:31 > 0:19:34I remember walking out of here, getting round the corner,
0:19:34 > 0:19:36and going, "Yes!"
0:19:36 > 0:19:38I went straight up to my sister, Sonia's, I said,
0:19:38 > 0:19:42"Sonia, you'll never believe it, I've got a job," and she couldn't believe it. It was just...
0:19:42 > 0:19:45That walk - I walked, cos we lived in Woodhouse - that walk...
0:19:45 > 0:19:46I was walking on air.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49- Was he any good? - Yeah, yeah, Richard was great.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51- Tell me the truth, was he? - No, he was.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53We were a small family business, and it was important
0:19:53 > 0:19:56that everybody worked as a team, and this guy was...
0:19:56 > 0:19:58You know, he was a top guy.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00'Becoming a valued member of staff here
0:20:00 > 0:20:03'gave Richard the stability and security he needed
0:20:03 > 0:20:05'to turn his life around.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08'And it was all because Lawrence showed faith in him
0:20:08 > 0:20:10'when he really needed it.'
0:20:10 > 0:20:12If somebody wants a job...
0:20:12 > 0:20:14and that's what you've got on offer, give them a job,
0:20:14 > 0:20:17because everybody's entitled to a chance.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19Just let me ask you, being on this little journey we've been on,
0:20:19 > 0:20:23and coming back here where it was make-or-break time...
0:20:23 > 0:20:26Everything worked out for you - has that reinforced that feeling in you
0:20:26 > 0:20:28that you want to help somebody else?
0:20:28 > 0:20:31Lawrence gave me a chance, and you didn't realise at the time
0:20:31 > 0:20:33how big that was to me, and it was massive.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35So to do the same for somebody else now and give them
0:20:35 > 0:20:37a helping hand, you know...
0:20:37 > 0:20:39- If you can do it, why won't you?- Absolutely.
0:20:39 > 0:20:44Well, good on you. I'll let you two carry on reminiscing.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47- Very nice to meet you. - Nice to meet you.- And I'll catch up with you very soon, yeah?
0:20:47 > 0:20:49- All the best.- All the best to you.
0:20:50 > 0:20:52INDISTINCT CHATTER
0:20:55 > 0:20:58This journey into the past has stirred deep memories
0:20:58 > 0:21:01of the tragic loss Richard suffered as a child.
0:21:01 > 0:21:04We were told by a plainclothes officer that Mum had not come home,
0:21:04 > 0:21:06and we weren't going to see her again.
0:21:06 > 0:21:07Does this man...?
0:21:07 > 0:21:10'Along the way, he's been reunited with some of the key people
0:21:10 > 0:21:12'who helped him overcome his difficulties,
0:21:12 > 0:21:14'and achieve his full potential.'
0:21:14 > 0:21:16It was inside you to start with.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19All I did was give you a little opportunity,
0:21:19 > 0:21:20and you've made the most of that.
0:21:20 > 0:21:22But, most importantly,
0:21:22 > 0:21:26it's helped focus his mind on what he wants to do.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28If, along the way, I get the opportunity to work with,
0:21:28 > 0:21:32maybe inspire and help an underdog along the way, why wouldn't I?
0:21:34 > 0:21:36Wow, what a journey we've been on with Richard today,
0:21:36 > 0:21:38taking him back to those places
0:21:38 > 0:21:41that have had such a huge impact on his life.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44What a rollercoaster of emotion.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46He's dedicated his life to helping other people,
0:21:46 > 0:21:49and once again today, he wants to give something back.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51What an extraordinary man he is.
0:21:51 > 0:21:53Of course, there are many people
0:21:53 > 0:21:55who could benefit from his life experiences,
0:21:55 > 0:21:57but we think we've found somebody
0:21:57 > 0:22:00whose story will hopefully strike a chord with him.
0:22:07 > 0:22:1122-year-old Toni is a single mum living in Leeds.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Like Richard, she also had a hard start in life.
0:22:15 > 0:22:16Not tired yet?
0:22:16 > 0:22:19When she was just too, things were so bad at home
0:22:19 > 0:22:22that Toni and her sister were taken away from their parents
0:22:22 > 0:22:24and placed in care.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29Toni grew up in institutions, and as a teenager, like Richard,
0:22:29 > 0:22:31she was in trouble with the law.
0:22:31 > 0:22:35"That's not my dolly. Her hat is too soft."
0:22:35 > 0:22:38However, since leaving care, she's turned her life around,
0:22:38 > 0:22:41and is now busy mum and part-time student.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44Why does she have a mouse?
0:22:44 > 0:22:47A little mouse, I don't know why she's got a little mouse.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50We've arranged for Richard and Toni to meet.
0:22:50 > 0:22:53Will Toni's story strike a chord with him,
0:22:53 > 0:22:56and inspire him to want to change her life?
0:22:56 > 0:22:59I'm going to meet a young lady called Toni who...
0:22:59 > 0:23:00I don't know a great deal about her,
0:23:00 > 0:23:03but apparently she's got some similarities with my life,
0:23:03 > 0:23:05so I'm looking forward to meeting her.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08I'm a bit apprehensive, but let's see how we get on.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13Toni thinks we're making a programme about people who've been in care.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18She has no idea of the real reason behind Richard's visit...
0:23:19 > 0:23:23..or that she could be in line for a life-changing gift from him.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26- Hello.- Hello.- You must be Toni.
0:23:26 > 0:23:29- I am.- How are you? - Are you Richard?- I am.
0:23:29 > 0:23:30- Shall we go in?- Yeah, come in.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38- Would you like a cup of tea? - I'd love a cup of tea!
0:23:38 > 0:23:40- I'm a tea man. - D'you drink tea, yeah, not coffee?
0:23:40 > 0:23:43Milk and one sugar. I know I shouldn't.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46From age two, Toni and her sister were placed together
0:23:46 > 0:23:49in a foster home, but after five years,
0:23:49 > 0:23:51Toni was separated from her sister.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55How was all that, moving from foster family to foster family?
0:23:55 > 0:23:58It wasn't very nice, but the foster carer that I was with,
0:23:58 > 0:24:00she said that my behaviour was really bad,
0:24:00 > 0:24:03so she couldn't really cope with me any more,
0:24:03 > 0:24:06and she felt that the best thing to do was to...
0:24:06 > 0:24:08- move me on.- Separate you. - Yeah.- Oh, gosh.
0:24:08 > 0:24:11- How old were you when you were separated, then?- Seven.
0:24:11 > 0:24:12I think I was... Yeah, I was seven.
0:24:12 > 0:24:14I do remember being told that I was being split up,
0:24:14 > 0:24:18and I remember running out of the house and sitting on the wall and just crying,
0:24:18 > 0:24:21because it was like a proper little family, you know?
0:24:21 > 0:24:23Being separated from her sister
0:24:23 > 0:24:26was the worst experience of Toni's young life.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31After that, she spent most of her childhood in children's homes.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33There, her behaviour got worse...
0:24:34 > 0:24:38..and as a teenager, she was often in trouble with the law.
0:24:38 > 0:24:40I got locked up in a young offenders' when I was 15.
0:24:40 > 0:24:41- Did you?- Yeah.
0:24:41 > 0:24:44The first one I went into was, um...
0:24:44 > 0:24:47- quite horrific, it was like a child prison.- Yeah.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50Like, there was murderers in there, and...you know, they had proper uniforms.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52What was that for?
0:24:54 > 0:24:55Arson.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58Um... Yeah, arson.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02Toni had hated living in her children's home so much,
0:25:02 > 0:25:04she'd set fire to her bedroom
0:25:04 > 0:25:06in the hope that she wouldn't have to live there any more.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10It was an act born out of sheer desperation.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15She spent nine weeks in the young offenders' institute awaiting trial,
0:25:15 > 0:25:18and was finally sentenced to a two-year supervision order.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21She could easily have ended up in trouble again,
0:25:21 > 0:25:24were it not for an event that changed her life.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28When I did actually eventually leave care, I was, um...
0:25:28 > 0:25:30when I was 17,
0:25:30 > 0:25:33I was really quite down and depressed, and, you know...
0:25:33 > 0:25:34I felt very low.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37And about three weeks after I left care, I found out I was pregnant.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41And I do feel like finding out I was pregnant kind of stopped me
0:25:41 > 0:25:45from living the chaotic lifestyle leaving care,
0:25:45 > 0:25:47cos a lot of people who leave care don't take it very well,
0:25:47 > 0:25:51and, you know, they go into drugs and alcohol and...
0:25:51 > 0:25:53they just don't know what to do with their lives.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55And I feel like she kind of almost saved me,
0:25:55 > 0:25:56because it's all I ever wanted.
0:25:56 > 0:26:00So then, when I found out it was happening, I was just so happy.
0:26:00 > 0:26:01Because I didn't have a family,
0:26:01 > 0:26:03I thought the only way to have a family
0:26:03 > 0:26:05is to have a family, you know?
0:26:05 > 0:26:07My family that I can then...
0:26:07 > 0:26:10be the parent I always wanted my parents to be.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12Because of the life I've had, I had to become quite mature quite young,
0:26:12 > 0:26:16and, like, everyone always says to me now, I've got my head screwed on,
0:26:16 > 0:26:18and you know, I'm really sensible and grown up.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21And I think I've been that way, really, since I had Evie, about... Well, four years ago.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23Because I just had to grow up,
0:26:23 > 0:26:26because I didn't have a mum and dad to show me how to change a nappy
0:26:26 > 0:26:28or to help me with the night-time feeds,
0:26:28 > 0:26:30or to watch her whilst I popped into town.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33You know, I had to do everything myself.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36Having Evie has given Toni the close family bond
0:26:36 > 0:26:38she so desperately wanted as a child.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42Having left school with no qualifications,
0:26:42 > 0:26:45Toni is now studying four days a week at a local college
0:26:45 > 0:26:49for a diploma in health and social care.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53- So, how do you get to college, by the way?- Um...I get the bus.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55I thought you drove.
0:26:55 > 0:26:56No, no, I don't drive.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59I did some driving lessons when I lived in Rochdale.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02So one day I would love to get back into my driving lessons
0:27:02 > 0:27:03and pass my test and everything.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07At the moment, Toni can't afford to finish her driving lessons.
0:27:07 > 0:27:11And as if being a student and mum wasn't enough,
0:27:11 > 0:27:13Toni also does voluntary work,
0:27:13 > 0:27:16using her experience of the care system to help others.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22- I do, like, foster carer training. - Oh, do you?- Yeah, um...
0:27:22 > 0:27:23What do you do?
0:27:23 > 0:27:26We just go and speak to foster carers about our experiences.
0:27:26 > 0:27:27At events?
0:27:27 > 0:27:30No, actual training, like, there's a group of foster carers that go on
0:27:30 > 0:27:33a three-day training course, and we go to their training course to do...
0:27:33 > 0:27:35- And you stand up and speak? - Yeah.- How do you find that?
0:27:35 > 0:27:39I don't know, it's weird, I quite enjoy telling people about my experiences,
0:27:39 > 0:27:42because I think people sometimes have a black and white image, like...
0:27:42 > 0:27:46It's quite good, like, I think sometimes people are scared
0:27:46 > 0:27:48to admit when it's not very good, and I'm...
0:27:48 > 0:27:50- You mean life in care?- Yeah.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53Using her own experiences to support others
0:27:53 > 0:27:56is something that really resonates with Richard, and for Toni,
0:27:56 > 0:27:59it's something she'd love to do more of.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02- So, what's the big dream, then? Magic wand.- Um...
0:28:02 > 0:28:04- I'd love to go and work back in a children's home.- Right.
0:28:04 > 0:28:08To do it from the other point, because I used to always say to my carers in my children's home,
0:28:08 > 0:28:13"You don't know what it's like, how can you say you know how I feel, cos you don't have any idea."
0:28:13 > 0:28:16I think you can give people more advice and help and guidance
0:28:16 > 0:28:19- if you've been through it yourself. - Young people, yeah.
0:28:19 > 0:28:23I mean, I've got my wife to support me, and she does a great job, and she doesn't work, and that's...
0:28:23 > 0:28:25I'm in a privileged position there, so...
0:28:25 > 0:28:27You're on your own.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30- Yeah.- How difficult is it, how is life?- Um...
0:28:30 > 0:28:32I mean, I do struggle sometimes, you know,
0:28:32 > 0:28:35I have days where I feel really low, and stuff, and I do feel like
0:28:35 > 0:28:38I don't really have the support and the people to talk to.
0:28:38 > 0:28:41I think that's when it's just a bit difficult, because...
0:28:41 > 0:28:44I just don't have, like, a massive support network.
0:28:44 > 0:28:48One of Toni's biggest concerns is the housing estate she's living on.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51She's desperate to move away.
0:28:51 > 0:28:53Providing the best environment for her daughter
0:28:53 > 0:28:56has always been a key priority for her.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59It's clear Richard is really impressed
0:28:59 > 0:29:03with her positive attitude, despite what life has thrown at her.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06I'm not one of these people that I feel sorry for myself,
0:29:06 > 0:29:09but I know that I have had quite a hard upbringing so far.
0:29:09 > 0:29:13And even up until now, you know, I've had quite a tough time,
0:29:13 > 0:29:15you know, some through fault of my own,
0:29:15 > 0:29:17some through not fault of my own.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19But I just think everything...
0:29:19 > 0:29:22- Everything just makes you stronger, you know?- Absolutely.
0:29:22 > 0:29:24If you have that positive outlook on everything,
0:29:24 > 0:29:26then everything makes you stronger.
0:29:26 > 0:29:27If you're negative, then, you know,
0:29:27 > 0:29:31you give up and you go downhill, but I can't go downhill.
0:29:31 > 0:29:33And I know I can't go downhill because of Evie,
0:29:33 > 0:29:36and, like, she is my little rock.
0:29:36 > 0:29:39Every time I feel like I can't do this, I can't cope,
0:29:39 > 0:29:41I can't go on, I'm going to, like, lose it...
0:29:41 > 0:29:43I'm like, "No, I can't, because of Evie."
0:29:43 > 0:29:47Because of Evie, but do you know what? It's you that's doing it.
0:29:47 > 0:29:48Don't forget that.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50- Mm.- It's been really nice talking to you.
0:29:50 > 0:29:53It's been inspirational talking to you, actually...
0:29:53 > 0:29:55- And you.- ..and I didn't realise we had so much in common.
0:29:55 > 0:29:59- It's crazy.- So good luck on your continuing journey.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02But I'm on a journey now so I'm going to get off.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04- Thanks for the tea. - That's all right. Thank you.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11So what has Richard made of his meeting with Toni?
0:30:13 > 0:30:18And has hearing her story made him want to give something back today?
0:30:18 > 0:30:21We had so much in common. And do you know?
0:30:21 > 0:30:25I had to remind myself about where I am on my journey
0:30:25 > 0:30:28and how different things could've been. And do you know? My heart goes out to her.
0:30:28 > 0:30:33She's done fantastically well, but there's a bit more of a journey
0:30:33 > 0:30:36to go on and if I can help in some way with that journey,
0:30:36 > 0:30:39to help them move forward, you know, why wouldn't I?
0:30:39 > 0:30:42I need to think about how can I help her?
0:30:42 > 0:30:46How I can genuinely help her with where she is right now?
0:30:53 > 0:30:57Meeting Toni has been an emotional experience for Richard.
0:30:57 > 0:31:01He now needs to work out whether he can make a difference to her life.
0:31:01 > 0:31:04To help him make that decision, he's going to talk it through
0:31:04 > 0:31:08with his close friend and fellow public speaker Nicky.
0:31:09 > 0:31:13- Hee-hee!- Hiya!- How are you?- I'm all right. How are you, my friend?
0:31:13 > 0:31:16- Nice to see you. Looking good, looking good.- Ooh!
0:31:16 > 0:31:18- Where shall I sit?- Thank you.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24- So...- So, what's crack, then? What you been doing?
0:31:24 > 0:31:27I've been on a bit of a journey over the last couple of weeks,
0:31:27 > 0:31:30culminating in meeting Toni.
0:31:32 > 0:31:36Toni, young lady who...taken to care at the age of two,
0:31:36 > 0:31:39and she got in trouble a little bit. You know, a bit like me -
0:31:39 > 0:31:42I went to prison, she was in a young offenders' institute. It was...
0:31:42 > 0:31:46I mean, and eventually, she's turned herself around,
0:31:46 > 0:31:49she's got a four-year-old beautiful little daughter and, um...
0:31:51 > 0:31:53It's... She's quite an inspirational person.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56But it must have been great for her to speak to you because
0:31:56 > 0:31:59you have been to that place and there's a massive difference
0:31:59 > 0:32:02between, "Oh, I'm really sorry, that's awful,"
0:32:02 > 0:32:06and, "Actually, I know what you're feeling at four o'clock in the morning when you don't know how
0:32:06 > 0:32:10"you're going to pay the gas bill and you don't know where your life's going to go."
0:32:10 > 0:32:13You know what was crazy? She's doing some of the things that I do.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17She's going to events for those in the kind of fostering agencies and suchlike,
0:32:17 > 0:32:19- and she's doing training sessions. - No!
0:32:19 > 0:32:23I mean, there were so many things we had in common, it was uncanny.
0:32:23 > 0:32:27And...and I'm just...
0:32:27 > 0:32:32You know, not torn, but struggling with how... You know, what can I do?
0:32:32 > 0:32:33What can I do for her?
0:32:33 > 0:32:37I want her to feel good about herself because, you know, that's half the battle.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40When you feel good, you can do more, you can achieve more,
0:32:40 > 0:32:44- you can fight those battles, you can...- And it's not just that...
0:32:44 > 0:32:47- ..achieve your dreams.- ..but if this girl feels good about herself,
0:32:47 > 0:32:49that's going to go down to the next generation.
0:32:49 > 0:32:53- It kind of breaks the cycle, doesn't it?- It does.
0:32:53 > 0:32:54Which is what I've done.
0:32:56 > 0:32:58And if I can help somebody else do that, you know,
0:32:58 > 0:33:01it would be a fantastic thing to do. Well, thanks for that, Nicky.
0:33:01 > 0:33:05It's been nice to help, you know, kick it about and clear my thoughts,
0:33:05 > 0:33:08- so thank you. - You're so welcome, my friend.
0:33:10 > 0:33:14This chat with Nicky has given Richard plenty of food for thought.
0:33:14 > 0:33:18It's clear that meeting Toni has stirred up memories of his own past.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23Richard has gone back. Now he needs to go forward.
0:33:25 > 0:33:28It's up to him to work out what he can do to help her.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42I'm really looking forward to catching up with Richard.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45Can't wait to hear how his meet with Toni went.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47You know, there are so many similarities in their lives.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51They've both experienced the care system, they both hit rock bottom.
0:33:51 > 0:33:55But how great that they've managed to turn their lives around.
0:33:55 > 0:33:57Things are still pretty tough for Toni.
0:33:57 > 0:34:02I wonder if Richard can help her on her journey. Let's go and find out.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08I'm meeting Richard just around the corner from where
0:34:08 > 0:34:11Toni is having a day out with her daughter, sister and friend.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15It's time to find out what Richard has decided.
0:34:20 > 0:34:24- Hey, Richard, how are you?- I'm all right. How are you?- Good, thanks.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26- Nice to see you. - And nice to see you.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29So, go on, I'm dying to find out - how did it go with Toni?
0:34:29 > 0:34:33Well, I was nervous, to be honest with you, but she's a lovely young lady.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36And we had so much in common that it was a bit spooky.
0:34:36 > 0:34:40You've both had, it's fair to say, tough starts in life.
0:34:40 > 0:34:45It'd be fair to say we both had problems with behaviour, shall we say?
0:34:45 > 0:34:47We both kind of, you know, got into trouble.
0:34:47 > 0:34:52Coming out of all that, as for me, when I came out of prison,
0:34:52 > 0:34:54things started to look better and...
0:34:54 > 0:34:57And it is much better for her now.
0:34:57 > 0:35:00It seems that she's turned a corner in her life, definitely,
0:35:00 > 0:35:02but she's still got a tough life, hasn't she?
0:35:02 > 0:35:05She has. She has. I mean, she's not working,
0:35:05 > 0:35:09so there isn't a great deal of money in the house,
0:35:09 > 0:35:12but one of the biggest things I was left with when I came away from her
0:35:12 > 0:35:16was I did not feel - I know she's got her own place now -
0:35:16 > 0:35:20- but I didn't feel as though she felt at home there.- Right.
0:35:20 > 0:35:23And it was that kind of home she might have hoped for,
0:35:23 > 0:35:26when she thought about what she wanted to do in the future.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28So that was the biggest thing that I came away with.
0:35:28 > 0:35:32So has it reinforced that you're going to help Toni today?
0:35:32 > 0:35:37What's made me want to help her most is that she's reminded me
0:35:37 > 0:35:42of how lucky I was and how lucky I am now, and I think that's...
0:35:42 > 0:35:46I want her to have a bit of that. I want her to feel good about herself.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49- She deserves it.- Yeah. So how do you think you're going to help her?
0:35:49 > 0:35:52Well, the first thing I'm going to do is I'm going to give her
0:35:52 > 0:35:55a bond for a home, for a property that she can start making a home
0:35:55 > 0:35:58- that she's proud of.- Wow. - That's the first thing I want to do.
0:35:58 > 0:36:00- Gosh.- The cost of that.
0:36:00 > 0:36:04Richard is going to cover the deposit and expenses
0:36:04 > 0:36:06for Toni and Evie to move house.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10There's the driving lessons she described.
0:36:10 > 0:36:13She needs to finish those, so let's get her on a little crash course
0:36:13 > 0:36:15- and we'll finish those.- OK.
0:36:15 > 0:36:18And another thing that I want to do for her is, I mean,
0:36:18 > 0:36:20she, more than anybody, deserves a bit of fun and joy.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23She's got a daughter, so what I'm arranging is for her
0:36:23 > 0:36:25to be taken away, the pair of them and a friend
0:36:25 > 0:36:28to spend some time in a theme park where they've got a hotel on site,
0:36:28 > 0:36:31- spend a couple of days there. - How fantastic.- Yeah.
0:36:31 > 0:36:35She has already started speaking and sharing her story to some...
0:36:35 > 0:36:38at some events for those in the system, so to speak.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41So I'm going to invite her as a guest speaker to one of my events
0:36:41 > 0:36:45to inspire other people with the journey she's been on.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48And one of the things I want to do around that time
0:36:48 > 0:36:51- is take her on a personal shopping experience.- OK.
0:36:51 > 0:36:56So we're going to help her look the part, feel the part and be the part.
0:36:56 > 0:36:58- This is amazing! - Well, you know what?
0:36:58 > 0:37:00I'm in a position to do some of these things, so...
0:37:00 > 0:37:03That is so, so generous of you, it really is, Richard,
0:37:03 > 0:37:06and I can imagine all of that will make such a difference to her.
0:37:06 > 0:37:10At long last, she's got that support that she's always wanted.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12Not to mention the support afterwards to help her.
0:37:12 > 0:37:15That sounds like it's going to cost a lot of money.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20It's all relative, isn't it? Um...
0:37:20 > 0:37:23- £3,000, something like that.- OK.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25Well, I think you're very, very generous
0:37:25 > 0:37:29and I can't wait to see her face when we tell her all this.
0:37:29 > 0:37:31Have you put all your thoughts down in a letter?
0:37:31 > 0:37:33- I've put it down in a letter for her to read.- OK.
0:37:33 > 0:37:35I'll probably get choked up if I say those things,
0:37:35 > 0:37:37- so I'll just give it to her. - OK, and let her read it.
0:37:37 > 0:37:40Well, listen, I know she's having a little day out with her little one,
0:37:40 > 0:37:43just around the corner, so I think "No time like the present."
0:37:43 > 0:37:45Shall we go and surprise her?
0:37:45 > 0:37:47- Let's do it. - Come on, then. Let's go.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55This is the moment Richard has been waiting for.
0:37:55 > 0:37:58He's about to own up to Toni what he's really been up to.
0:38:00 > 0:38:02His gift could change her life.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05She has no idea what's about to happen.
0:38:09 > 0:38:14So apparently Toni and her little daughter Evie and her sister
0:38:14 > 0:38:17and a friend are in this cafe just at the end of this road.
0:38:17 > 0:38:21Of course, they have no idea that we're coming. How are you feeling?
0:38:21 > 0:38:23- Slightly nervous, I have to say.- Yeah.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25I wonder what her reaction is going to be like.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29You're being so generous, honestly. It's...
0:38:29 > 0:38:32I think it's life-changing what you're doing to her.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36You know, well, it's going to be an interesting one.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40Here goes. Let's do this.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55- Hi!- Hi!- Hi, Toni, how are you? - I'm all right, thanks.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58I'm Aled Jones, from the BBC.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00- Nice to meet you.- Nice to meet you.
0:39:00 > 0:39:01Don't look at me like that!
0:39:01 > 0:39:06Listen, you thought we were making a programme about living in care.
0:39:06 > 0:39:10- Yeah.- It's not the full story, is it?- It's not.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14It was a real pleasure to meet you.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18Do you know, meeting you, it reminded me of how lucky I've been
0:39:18 > 0:39:22and how grateful I am for where I am right now.
0:39:22 > 0:39:26And, for that reason, I'd like to help you a little, if I may.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29So what I've done is I've put my thoughts in a letter for you,
0:39:29 > 0:39:31- which I'd like you to read out. - Will you read it out for us?
0:39:31 > 0:39:33- No, I'm scared! - Oh, go on, don't be scared.
0:39:33 > 0:39:35Come on, I'll open it for you.
0:39:35 > 0:39:37Deep breath now.
0:39:37 > 0:39:41"Meeting you last week is a day I'll never forget, for many reasons.
0:39:41 > 0:39:44"You really are such a unique, determined and inspirational person.
0:39:44 > 0:39:48"I'm truly humbled and grateful for the way things have turned out
0:39:48 > 0:39:51"for me and there is no doubt life should turn out well for you.
0:39:51 > 0:39:52"You deserve it.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55"I felt when we met that you weren't completely happy with where
0:39:55 > 0:39:58"you are right now and it didn't quite feel like the home
0:39:58 > 0:39:59"you quite wanted for you both.
0:39:59 > 0:40:03"If any two people deserve a place to relax in, it's you and Evie
0:40:03 > 0:40:07"as you have so many things to live for and so many things to achieve.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10"That girl is a credit to you..." Oh, don't you'll make me cry.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12"..in every way and the right environment to raise her
0:40:12 > 0:40:14"would make such a difference.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16"I find the easiest way to direct the future is to have
0:40:16 > 0:40:18"a list of things to make happen.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21"Can you do me the honour of accepting the following?
0:40:21 > 0:40:23"I'd like to help find that new home with you,
0:40:23 > 0:40:24"for which I'll pay the depo..."
0:40:24 > 0:40:26Don't, I'm going to start crying now, don't.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29- Don't worry, you can cry, it's fine. - Oh, no, no...
0:40:29 > 0:40:34I can't read it. "..And support you with the expenses of moving."
0:40:34 > 0:40:35Oh, wow.
0:40:35 > 0:40:40"Also, I'd like to spend a day reflecting on how well you've done
0:40:40 > 0:40:41"and how far you've come.
0:40:41 > 0:40:45"For mum and daughter, it's time you two had some fun.
0:40:45 > 0:40:48"So I want to cover the cost of a trip to Alton Towers resort
0:40:48 > 0:40:52"for a couple of days and let's see if we can get some brilliant,
0:40:52 > 0:40:55"happy photos on the rides to display in that new home.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59"No question, what you've learned in life should be shared with
0:40:59 > 0:41:01"the world, as you have such a gift to give,
0:41:01 > 0:41:04"so I'd like to invite you as a guest speaker at one of my events,
0:41:04 > 0:41:07"where you will be given a chance to inspire others and give back
0:41:07 > 0:41:09"as I have been given the chance to give back today.
0:41:09 > 0:41:11"And I have arranged for a personal shopper
0:41:11 > 0:41:14"to take you and dress you for the part.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16"And, finally, you need to get about,
0:41:16 > 0:41:18"so let's finish those last few driving lessons
0:41:18 > 0:41:20"as to drive opens up every possibility.
0:41:20 > 0:41:22"Believe me, Toni,
0:41:22 > 0:41:25"it's more of a joy for me to able to help you than you will ever know.
0:41:25 > 0:41:27"Thanks so much. Richard."
0:41:29 > 0:41:31- I'm going to cry myself!- So am I!
0:41:32 > 0:41:35- Let's make it happen. - Are you all right?- Yeah!
0:41:35 > 0:41:39- How do you feel about all that? - Shocked! Happy. Yeah.
0:41:39 > 0:41:41What difference do you think all that will make to you?
0:41:41 > 0:41:43- A massive difference.- Yeah?
0:41:43 > 0:41:46To be able to drive will just mean that we can do so much more
0:41:46 > 0:41:49and to be able to move away from where I live
0:41:49 > 0:41:52and just give us such a better life, because it's just horrible.
0:41:52 > 0:41:56It feels like you've turned a corner and now you just needed
0:41:56 > 0:41:59that little bit of support to help you on your way.
0:41:59 > 0:42:01- What do you want to say to Richard?- Thank you.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04It's been a pleasure to help somebody along who, as I said,
0:42:04 > 0:42:07has so much in common with the journey I've been on.
0:42:07 > 0:42:10Listen, we'll leave you to it. All the best, OK? Ta-ra, now.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13- I'll be in touch very soon. - All right. Thank you very much.
0:42:14 > 0:42:15That was so emotional!
0:42:15 > 0:42:18Whoa! That is awesome.
0:42:18 > 0:42:20It's really going to make a difference to my life
0:42:20 > 0:42:23and really help me in a lot of ways, but it was a big shock.
0:42:23 > 0:42:25I wasn't expecting it at all.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28But it was a good shock, probably the best shock I've had in my life.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30It's been incredible meeting Toni.
0:42:30 > 0:42:34It was a nice reminder about where I was and how far I've come
0:42:34 > 0:42:37and it's been a great conclusion to the journey.
0:42:37 > 0:42:40And it touched me, so a fantastic result, as far as I'm concerned.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43I can't thank him enough for what he's done
0:42:43 > 0:42:45and I'll never forget what he's done for me.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48Both Richard and Toni have had the toughest of starts in life,
0:42:48 > 0:42:51but they're both proof, if you like, that anything is possible.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54Out of darkness does come light.
0:42:54 > 0:42:55Success can be achieved,
0:42:55 > 0:42:58even in the face of the toughest adversity and now,
0:42:58 > 0:43:03thanks to Richard, Toni has that support that she's always craved.