The Big Build - Durham DIY SOS


The Big Build - Durham

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Transcript


LineFromTo

Hello. Welcome to the show, coming from a village just outside Durham.

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This week, we've got a massive job on.

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We're here to bring a family back together.

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It's a living nightmare.

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They've had to fight against life-threatening illness...

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When he was fully awake,

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we had to tell him that he'd had both his legs amputated.

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We're here to help a boy get home.

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The one thing he wants is to come home,

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but until the house is done, unfortunately, that can't happen.

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It's going to take a toon army...

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-Away the lads!

-Away the lads!

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..to make the impossible possible.

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Not only are we doing a renovation, we're ripping a house apart to do a complete reconstruction.

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It's weeks of work in just a few days.

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There's only me... Well, me and this lot...

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There's never been a problem we can't solve.

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..and all of this lot.

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And we've got just ten days. Welcome to DIY SOS - The Big Build.

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LOW CHATTER

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Alison and Darren Purvis and their three sons -

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17-year-old Kieron, 13-year-old Connor and 9-year-old Dylan -

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come from a former mining village in County Durham.

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Their grandparents live just around the corner.

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See you later!

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And they're surrounded by family and friends.

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Until a couple of years ago,

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we were basically a normal family, doing family things.

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It was Christmas 2007... Kieron collapsed at school.

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I was playing pass the baton race.

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Suddenly, after we'd finished, we were going back to our classes

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and I suddenly collapsed and I was being sick everywhere.

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He was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, which was life threatening.

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I sat down and one of the cardiologists came down

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and she was crying. She had tears in her eyes.

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We got asked if we wanted to see a chaplain. We broke down in tears,

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-didn't we?

-Hmm.

-She was crying, we were crying.

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It was just horrendous.

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Just horrible. Just that realisation that we could actually lose him.

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Kieron needed an emergency heart transplant.

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He was put into a coma so his heart could heal

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but his circulation suffered, and Kieron's legs had to be amputated

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to once again save his life.

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You hear it, you hear them telling you, but it's not sinking in.

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You think, "This can't be right. It can't be true."

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He only went in because he had a bad heart.

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But, unfortunately, it was reality. It had to happen.

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The alternative would have been no Kieron, so...

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No Kieron or no legs. It's no option. There is no choice.

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You have to have Kieron.

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Boys, breakfast!

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Kieron's brothers have been living at home with Grandma for nearly a year,

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while Alison and Darren have been living at the hospital.

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'There's loads of love in our family.

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'It hurts loads inside that we're not together.'

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When we're together, we're really strong.

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After all they've been through, what's so frustrating

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is that Kieron's been ready to come home for nine months, but his house isn't ready for him.

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Once the specialised kit Kieron needs to live at home is installed,

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the family will be down by two bedrooms.

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Darren and Alison tried to sort this themselves by doing a DIY loft conversion,

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but it all had to come out because it wasn't safe

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and didn't meet building regulations.

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And now they're back to square one.

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Our job is to reconfigure the space

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so the family can all get back under one roof.

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This is the rear access. I had a look at the front on the way past,

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but this looks likes it's a problem as well, given that...

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access is important to you, isn't it?

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Yeah. With Kieron being in a wheelchair,

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to enable him to come home, he can't get into the front

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so this is going to be his only access.

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Unevenness on the floor. Several different levels.

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Looking at the back of the house, you've got a step up

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into the back as well. OK.

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-With the house itself, shall we go and have a look?

-Yeah.

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Inside, yeah?

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This is nicer than most houses we get a chance to come and play in.

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What sort of layout do you need? We just talked about the ramp, but what else do you need?

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The door into the living room has got to be made wider.

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-It's too narrow for a wheelchair.

-Too narrow, yeah.

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-What about getting upstairs?

-He needs a through-floor lift to get up to his bedroom.

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Obviously, he can't have a stair lift cos the stairs are too narrow.

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But because the bathroom is split level, there's no way of making that into a wet room area for him,

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so it means using one of the front bedrooms

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to give him his own wet room and his own privacy.

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How much of a difference is it going to make to your lifestyle

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if we can get you all back in here as one family?

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Fabulous! Massive.

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It'll put an end to the horrendous year that we've had.

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It'll feel like a brand-new start.

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-You're going back to stay with him at the hospital?

-Yeah.

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-So, if we get this right, it'll be your last few days of staying at the hospital.

-Yeah.

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-And home to the family.

-Hm-mm.

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-Excited?

-I am really excited. Really excited!

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You can see why Alison's got a smile on her face.

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She's within touching distance of getting her family back together.

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But there's loads of work to do and no time at all for messing about.

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And we've got a little joke for you as well.

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This reminds me of Pink Panther country. Why, Julia?

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# Dur-um, dur-um...

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-ALL:

-# Dur-um, dur-um, dur-um... #

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Shall we go? >

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They said they wanted to meet him as well.

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-All right. You get your stuff together. You're all packed and ready to go?

-Yeah.

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You head off, we'll head in. We'll see you again in about a week's time.

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Thank you very much. See you later.

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To make sure everyone in this family has somewhere to sleep,

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we need to make two bedrooms in the loft

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for Kieron's brothers - Connor and Dylan.

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Mum and Dad will be on the first floor with Kieron,

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who will have his own en-suite wet room.

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To get upstairs, Kieron will need a through-floor lift

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which will go from the new kitchen straight into his bedroom,

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and to fit the lift, we need to reconfigure the kitchen

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on the ground floor, as well as make sure

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all the openings around the house are wide enough for a wheelchair.

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Thankfully, we have Julia.

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Really busy this week. Right, kitchen...

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-What's the flooring going down here?

-It's a laminate.

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A laminate in a kitchen? In a watery environment?

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The staircase that comes down here is going to come out of here.

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I have to get this room gutted, reboarded, replastered,

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ready for the new kitchen going in on Friday.

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We have to maintain the levels between the sitting room and here.

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Yes.

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So the best option is to carry the laminate all the way through, for wheelchair access.

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It's a telescopic ladder.

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Yes, an expanding ladder for an expanding bottom.

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Blocked out the light there!

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What's going to be keeping you busy?

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Mainly getting this loft floor down,

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because we need to get the structure in and the basic floor down to give us a safe working environment

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to get all the rooms built.

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Isn't that a bit much, steel-wise, for a room this size?

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It's big, innit?

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They've certainly covered themselves on the structure, haven't they?

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Look at the ridge beam. Got to build it strong there.

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These steels went in before we arrived.

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Alison wrote to us

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after the DIY loft conversion had to be ripped out

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as it didn't meet building regulations.

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These steels, which we borrowed from the Tyne Bridge,

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and the reinforced joists we're putting in,

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will make sure the new loft meet building inspector John Baker's high standards.

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-Building inspector.

-Hello, mate! All right?

-Yes. We've had a couple of problems so far

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-with the steelwork, but that's all been resolved.

-We got over that.

-Yes.

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-We're here for you, so...

-That's what I like to hear!

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That's the kind of thing we like to hear from a building inspector!

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A smiling building inspector who's here for us(?) Hmm!

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This door is going to open to about that much.

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We've got to do that without destroying the front room, which is pretty.

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You can see my point - I'm down here... I was in the loft earlier on.

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-Yes.

-But they said that they didn't want me up there...

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because there's not enough room, and they basically sacked me.

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They said I'm on the larger side.

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That's unfair dismissal! You could get them for that, my chubby friend.

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We've taken off this board...

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and just found everything...

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Look, that is all stripped back against metal there.

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They're tripping, and everything.

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If this had got red hot, it would have caused a fire.

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This is why you must get the proper tradesmen in!

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So why are you getting involved, then, Bill(?)

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Ah! That's where that cable goes through!

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Just gently break it.

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One more...

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Agh!

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We couldn't do these big builds without all the trades who come along to help us out.

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Tea and goodwill are what keeps us going.

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It's a nice atmosphere, you know.

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Obviously, we've worked in a lot of sites and a lot of people's houses,

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but there's a buzz about this job, which is what pushes it on so much.

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It feels good to do something that will benefit the lad. Definitely.

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All the scaffolding we need is being supplied by the Purvises' neighbour, Colin.

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-You come from a few doors up, do you?

-Two down, that one there.

-Is that right? You know the family?

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-Very well.

-How do you think they have dealt with it?

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I am not being funny, you'll have to stop now, because I cannot talk like that.

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You can't talk about it?

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My dad gets very emotional about these things.

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Obviously, living two or three doors away,

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and he can't bring himself to talk about it, really.

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The whole village knows the situation

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and they just want to, obviously, see Kieron back home.

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We're not short of help on this job, but we're short of space.

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This compact and bijou house is posing Julia all sorts of problems.

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-So, how are you going to split his room up?

-This is a complete headache.

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We've got to bring the stairs up here - you have to do that where you have the full head height,

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and create a landing to separate the two bedrooms.

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But what that means now, because we've lost so much floor space,

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-is that by the time we've got the stud wall here, if you take one step back...

-Yeah.

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..you are now into the bedroom.

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-It can't be, because you can't get in alongside the wall, can you?

-That's what we have ended up with.

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Once the stairs are in, we can ascertain exactly what headroom we've got,

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so that if we can take this floor back any, then we can shift all of this this way

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to maximise the head space that we've got here.

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What you are looking at over there, interestingly, all the chicken wire that goes between the beams

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is if there's ever a fire and the ceiling falls away,

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then all of the stuff doesn't fall through with it,

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and the fire can't get through, because all the insulation is held by chicken wire.

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-And it stops the chickens escaping.

-It also stops the chicken's that we're going to keep up here(!)

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I'm impressed, if doubtful, that we'll get two rooms out of this loft.

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-What's going to happen in here?

-OK, this is Kieron's bathroom.

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This is the most important room to get right.

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We have to allow for a turning circle for the wheelchair. This whole wall is coming out.

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-Oh...really?

-Yes, this whole wall is coming out.

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This section of it, which is behind the shower tray, goes back 200mm.

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From here onwards, the wall then comes forward by 100mm.

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100mm? You're moving an entire wall for 100mm?

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But it means that we can fit a wardrobe on the other side within the recess.

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At the moment it's just too shy to be able to put a wardrobe in.

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-So this bit's going 100mm in that direction?

-Yeah.

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You can see the distance we've got between the wall and the window is not enough for a wardrobe.

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-Right.

-However, if we take that back, we can fit a wardrobe in, which is perfect.

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-And it is going to be very lush in here.

-Is it going to be lush?

-Lush and lovely and shiny.

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-Is it going to be a boutique-hotel-style bedroom?

-Might be.

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Because I like it when you do that. I think that's my fave thing that you do, boutique hotel...

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-It makes you feel like you've got a bit of glam at home.

-Yeah, and a bit of an escape

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-because there's an association with getting away from things.

-Yeah.

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She's very good, isn't she? And she's starting to make sense.

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Moving the stud wall seems like a lot of effort for a wardrobe,

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but small changes can make a big difference!

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It's called being creative with space.

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We're knocking the first floor about to make Kieron's wet room and lift,

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and that's going to mean a lot of plastering.

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This is my 363rd-millionth worst job.

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But before plaster, there's paper.

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I would sooner pull my own teeth out than do this.

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I've seen him do that, in a bar with a pair of pliers. It's horrible.

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Any young inventors out there looking for a project,

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could you please invent something else to strip wallpaper? Not good.

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Not good. There is no other way I can think of of getting it off.

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Designs on the back of an envelope to Chris ASAP. In the meantime, he needs to calm down, chill out.

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Anybody else want to join me in this sauna? It's lovely.

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I forgot my moisturiser.

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Do you not feel just a little bit sort of...

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-a little bit over-gentle using moisturiser?

-No.

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See, you ought to really take a tip from me with my moisturising

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because now we're in high definition, all this and all of these little wrinkles

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and all these wobbles, all these lines, they're all going to show up something terrible.

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That's a lot of spare skin.

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Someone who does pay attention to how things look, including her skin, is Julia.

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Julia's been the designer on DIY SOS for five series.

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She can do sitting rooms, she can do kitchens, she can do bedrooms.

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And when she's not doing all that, she designs and builds award-winning eco homes,

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is a property developer and has a nice line in up-cycling junk,

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which is a posh way of saying she turns rubbish into art.

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The question is, is she up to taking this small house

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and making it feel big enough for Kieron and his family?

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I'm quite keen that his bedroom

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and his workroom don't look too sort of hospital-like.

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-What are Kieron's interests? What's his passions?

-He loves football.

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-Football and his computer games.

-Yeah, he wants to design computer games.

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Xbox, PlayStation - he's got every console.

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-Clever lad, then.

-Yeah, very.

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Tell me a bit about Connor and Dylan, what they're into.

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-Connor likes his wrestling and cricket.

-Cricket.

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-And what's Dylan into?

-He loves Doctor Who.

-Lovely.

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And you guys have been without a bedroom in the house for a wee while now.

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What would your ideal bedroom be like?

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Just somewhere nice that you can relax in,

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that we could obviously sit in as well, not just somewhere to sleep.

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-Somewhere we could go and chill out.

-Right. A nice, relaxing space?

-Yeah.

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OK.

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While Julia's getting creative about bedrooms, we're ripping the house apart.

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Can't see a thing in here!

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-Where would be we be without Jules? He's like a human demolition ball.

-It's all finished. Staircases...

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It's not that messy. All that dust will settle down. We'll have it out in 15 minutes.

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That was lovely in there.

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They'd probably just got to the point where they were happy with it.

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-And we've been in here, what, six, seven hours.

-Trashed it.

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Don't pretend you don't love it.

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The ceilings are down in the kitchen, and the floor is up in the bedroom.

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This is where Kieron's lift is going to go in.

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The nice thing about this is we've to a state now with this room

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where we normally walk in on a DIY SOS. Basically,

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-we've taken a decent-looking house...

-And trashed it.

-And done that.

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-But you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs, can you?

-No.

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After making such a good start on wrecking the Purvises' home,

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the right thing to do would be to build something.

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The staircase, made by Darren and Alison's friend Tony, is being delivered. That'll do nicely!

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-It doesn't look like it'll fit the hole.

-They never do, though.

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You pick them up, and it's, like, whoops.

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You've helped with the staircase... because you want to help us out?

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I've known the family for about 30 year.

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-The willpower and strength in that kid is unbelievable.

-Kieron?

-Yes.

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So full of life, so chirpy. I'll hold me head out high for him, for what he's been through. The whole family.

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-He's actually going to move back in the day we finish this.

-Right.

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That's a year in hospital, a year the family's been apart,

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and then they'll get back together, if this is finished.

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-Fingers crossed.

-Yeah.

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Right, I've got this end. You're a bit far forward.

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You need it back that way a bit. >

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Does it fit, then?

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Like a glove.

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And these are stairs with a twist.

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By putting in these kite-winders at the bottom,

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we've created more space in the kitchen.

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You've done the staircase, but now you're doing stud walls.

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-You've decided to stay on and help out?

-Mark talked us into it.

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We've got some sleeping bags, in case you want to stay late!

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Upstairs, Billy is getting his orders from Julia -

0:18:200:18:23

basically, to be in three places at once -

0:18:230:18:27

the loft, the first floor and the kitchen.

0:18:270:18:30

He's got Martin and Gary working with him on this job,

0:18:310:18:34

-so it shouldn't be a problem... you'd think!

-Poor Billy, as usual, has got a load to do

0:18:340:18:39

-before anybody else can get on.

-The walls ain't built, doorways are not, um...in,

0:18:390:18:45

so we can't just leave cables in the roof

0:18:450:18:47

and just drop them, cos we'll lose them.

0:18:470:18:49

Then it's, um, catch-24, innit?

0:18:490:18:53

-22, even.

-Oh. No, this has gone further than 22!

0:18:530:18:57

Tomorrow morning...

0:18:570:18:58

Wait a minute, no, tomorrow morning, they'll be saying,

0:18:580:19:01

"We want to plaster the ceiling in the kitchen."

0:19:010:19:04

-Yeah.

-And we'll still be up here.

0:19:040:19:06

-Yeah.

-Then what's going to happen? "Oh, Billy, you're behind again.

0:19:060:19:10

-"Come on, you've got two sparks with you, you're still behind."

-I couldn't have said it better.

0:19:100:19:15

He needs to start multi-skilling, like our Jules.

0:19:150:19:17

Already, he's destroyed this, this and this.

0:19:170:19:21

The only thing I can't do is dance.

0:19:220:19:24

-No?!

-Oh, a terrible dancer.

-Are you not light on your feet?

0:19:240:19:28

-No, terrible.

-Awww!

0:19:280:19:29

I could quite see you doing the tango. You should do Strictly.

0:19:290:19:34

-I couldn't do that.

-You could.

0:19:340:19:35

MUSIC: "Strictly Come Dancing" Theme

0:19:350:19:38

-I've got a lot of natural rhythm.

-Yeah.

-Rhythmic undertones...

0:19:400:19:45

but not in me feet.

0:19:450:19:46

Now, you see, you're wasted. You should so be on Strictly.

0:19:490:19:53

And that's why we call him Glitter Balls.

0:19:530:19:56

See? It's all there!

0:19:560:19:57

To get in and out of his house, Kieron needs a ramp.

0:19:590:20:02

It's specialised kit, and there are talented men here to build one.

0:20:020:20:06

-And this is like a modular system you bolt down, is it?

-Yeah, it's like a Meccano set.

0:20:090:20:13

It's all built on-site.

0:20:130:20:15

We'll bring it, it'll all be put together, legs go in and it screws in place.

0:20:150:20:19

All right, smashing. Lovely. Thank you very much. Cool.

0:20:190:20:23

The reason the ramp's so important

0:20:230:20:25

is because Kieron's been fit enough to come home for nine months.

0:20:250:20:28

He's been in a transplant flat at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle,

0:20:280:20:32

getting himself ready for the next stage of his recovery.

0:20:320:20:36

I feel great, really.

0:20:360:20:38

I'm trying to get the strength up for when I get on prosthetic legs,

0:20:380:20:42

start walking around, and that. Can't wait for that.

0:20:420:20:45

For Kieron, getting home is everything.

0:20:450:20:48

His occupational therapist, Liz, and her team

0:20:480:20:51

are helping him to build up his strength

0:20:510:20:53

so he can regain his independence.

0:20:530:20:56

-How are you feeling?

-All right.

-What about the exercises?

0:20:560:20:59

-Are they helping?

-Yeah, they are. They work us hard. Don't you?

0:20:590:21:03

-Is that right?

-Yeah.

-They bully you a little bit?

-Mm. A bit.

0:21:030:21:06

Gently. Gently, gently! Encourage.

0:21:060:21:09

No, but you have to encourage, yes,

0:21:090:21:11

but it varies from person to person, I suppose, that you work with,

0:21:110:21:15

how much you have to push them.

0:21:150:21:17

And how much you say, "We're going to do this, you need to trust us,

0:21:170:21:20

"we've done it before, this is the next best thing to be doing."

0:21:200:21:24

Kieron would often say, "No, please don't let us do it,"

0:21:240:21:27

and we'd say, "We know." And then he'd say to me, "Oh, Liz, you were right about that."

0:21:270:21:31

So, how is he as a patient? Is he determined?

0:21:310:21:33

Absolutely. Determined, dedicated.

0:21:330:21:37

And if he thinks there's going to be a positive end result,

0:21:370:21:41

he'll work really, really hard at it.

0:21:410:21:43

-What are your hobbies and interests?

-Cricket and football and that.

0:21:430:21:48

I usually have a season ticket for Sunderland.

0:21:480:21:51

-Oh, did you?

-I sit right at the front.

-Do you?

-Yeah.

0:21:510:21:54

-You support Sunderland?

-Mm-hm.

-And you still like football?

-Yeah!

0:21:540:21:58

THEY LAUGH

0:21:580:22:00

How much is him getting home, back into the family environment, going to boost his recovery?

0:22:000:22:05

Understateable. It's so important.

0:22:050:22:07

It's what he and his mum and dad have wanted from the day I met them,

0:22:070:22:11

when he was on intensive care back in January, really.

0:22:110:22:13

"We've got to be working to this. We need to get home.

0:22:130:22:16

"We need to be a family again."

0:22:160:22:18

We're always working with those goals.

0:22:180:22:20

I think he's quite inspirational,

0:22:200:22:22

the determination as to what he can do and how much effort he puts into it.

0:22:220:22:26

Kieron's story and his amazing positive attitude

0:22:290:22:32

are what's keeping everyone focused.

0:22:320:22:34

It's hard work, but it's easy when you're doing it for good reasons.

0:22:340:22:38

HAMMERING

0:22:380:22:40

Nice hole, that, don't you think?

0:22:400:22:42

-What do you think of that hole?

-As holes go, that's a pretty nice hole.

0:22:420:22:47

-You all right there?

-No.

-He's kept out of the way, cos he's been on, um, stripping duty.

0:22:470:22:51

Wallpaper stripping.

0:22:510:22:53

But I'm happy, because we've got an army of plasterers coming in to attack the ceiling

0:22:530:22:59

-and over-skim walls, and I'm going to keep prepping and prepping in front of them.

-Keep at it.

0:22:590:23:04

Chris is looking at spending the better part of next week plastering his pants off.

0:23:040:23:08

He's got help coming, and they've got a mountain to climb -

0:23:080:23:12

seven rooms over three floors in five days.

0:23:120:23:15

I think the plasterers are here. Gentlemen! I like this. Come here, lads.

0:23:170:23:21

-Boys! You've come to play plastering? You do the ceilings, then.

-No bother.

0:23:210:23:27

-Shall we take you in and have a look?

-Yeah, spot-on.

0:23:270:23:31

Board the ceiling. We're going to flush these bits out. All the new electrics.

0:23:310:23:35

And then basically bead up and over-skim the lot.

0:23:350:23:38

And we're really grateful that you guys are here.

0:23:380:23:41

All volunteers, mind you.

0:23:420:23:44

With this many people, you can go quite quick.

0:23:530:23:57

-Will you get up the stairs today?

-No, not up the stairs.

0:23:570:24:00

-Why, what's happened?

-The total reconfiguration of the upstairs.

0:24:000:24:03

It's going to knock us back days. It's not very good.

0:24:030:24:06

You wait till you get up there. You'll be heartbroken.

0:24:060:24:09

You'll be pleased with us here, you'll go up the hallway, feeling good, and you'll go...

0:24:090:24:15

That's not right.

0:24:200:24:21

O-M-G.

0:24:230:24:25

-O-M-G, as they say in texts.

-A mess, isn't it?

-It is.

0:24:250:24:29

I was excited, because all the plasterers are working downstairs.

0:24:290:24:33

And then walk up here and it's, you know...

0:24:330:24:36

We ARE doing the whole house.

0:24:360:24:38

Like a small tactical nuclear weapon has gone off up there.

0:24:380:24:41

Is there anything I can do to help you in your quest to sort this out?

0:24:410:24:45

-Yes.

-There is?

-Big pile of rubble.

-Yes.

0:24:450:24:48

-Buckets.

-Yes.

-No shovels.

0:24:480:24:50

-That's an oversight.

-I don't want to dig like moles.

0:24:500:24:53

I'm worried about this build, because normally, we do deconstruction in the first few days

0:24:540:24:59

and then we build it up again, but we're coming to the fourth day

0:24:590:25:03

and we're still knocking down walls, still shovelling stuff out

0:25:030:25:07

and it makes you wonder with only five days left to go

0:25:070:25:09

whether we're going to have enough time to build everything again. It's a worry.

0:25:090:25:14

Shovels. It's an old mining village - they should have them somewhere.

0:25:140:25:18

-Have you got shovels?

-On the bottom.

-Oh, I see, hand shovels.

0:25:180:25:23

-Do you know the family we're working for?

-I do, yes.

0:25:230:25:27

Just from coming in the shop?

0:25:270:25:28

-The son used to work for us, do a paper round for us.

-Kieron?

0:25:280:25:32

-Kieron, yes.

-Did he?

-I support his mum and dad. They come into the shop.

0:25:320:25:36

It's sad, really, what happened to them.

0:25:360:25:39

He's a lovely lad. Full of energy and looking forward to getting home.

0:25:390:25:43

It's very nice we can sort it out. I'll have these two. Cheers.

0:25:430:25:48

Our up-cycling guru can make use of almost anything - tables, chairs, computers.

0:25:480:25:53

Really beautiful things when you come to look at them.

0:25:530:25:57

They're very good graphics cards, so if he's interested in games, he'll know what they are.

0:25:570:26:02

-Bye!

-Good luck.

-I think she may have lost the plot.

0:26:020:26:05

If this is up-cycling, I think she ought to stick to buying stuff in shops.

0:26:050:26:10

What's she going to do with it?

0:26:100:26:12

This is nice, you've got a floor now.

0:26:120:26:14

New windows going in on this side. Bigger as well.

0:26:140:26:18

-Looks bigger. That one, as well.

-They're very nice.

0:26:180:26:22

When you've got a house that has only got two bedrooms downstairs and you've got three kids...

0:26:220:26:28

they need to go somewhere, don't they? Lovely, it all looks like it's going very well.

0:26:280:26:32

-Where do you want to be by the end of today?

-The roof window fitted, the staircase dropped in.

0:26:320:26:39

It's interesting, because that's so big you couldn't bring it up through the house to fit,

0:26:390:26:44

-so you had to build it here. How are you going to get it into the hole?

-We'll stand up like that

0:26:440:26:49

-and then put it back on itself.

-And that's going to work, is it?

-We'll tell you later on today!

0:26:490:26:55

The loft was where our build story began,

0:26:550:26:58

with Darren and Alison's DIY loft conversion that had to come out.

0:26:580:27:01

Getting these new stairs in feels like a big step forward.

0:27:010:27:05

It means the loft is no longer a loft,

0:27:050:27:07

more like two bedrooms-in-waiting.

0:27:070:27:10

The stairs do have one disadvantage.

0:27:100:27:13

Oh, she's all right. It's what's coming next.

0:27:130:27:17

What's that blue one plugged in there? Where's the feed for that?

0:27:170:27:20

-I'm not sure what that is.

-What's this one, Mark, sweetie?

0:27:200:27:27

He's an man of many talents, our Bill.

0:27:270:27:29

I just wish one of them was electrics!

0:27:290:27:32

-Can I have a word with you, please? Where's your tool belt?

-There.

0:27:320:27:38

I'm confiscating your tool belt.

0:27:380:27:40

You carrying that has just reminded me...

0:27:400:27:43

-I'm officially withdrawing your builder status.

-Right.

0:27:430:27:46

It came to attention, when everyone was out for a beer on Saturday,

0:27:460:27:51

you had indulged in a girl's night in to watch Strictly Come Dancing.

0:27:510:27:56

That means you're officially no longer classified as a builder,

0:27:560:28:00

when we're out having a pint, and you're having a towel wrapped around your head,

0:28:000:28:06

-toe-separators, painting your toenails, with the girls.

-I had a face pack, that's all.

0:28:060:28:11

-Did you have a bottle of bubbly rose to share as well?

-How did you know?

0:28:110:28:16

That's the kind of thing that gives all builders a bad name.

0:28:160:28:19

I knew he'd been spending too much time with Julia. She's a bad influence!

0:28:190:28:24

He needs to man-up, like Chris and boys in the kitchen.

0:28:240:28:29

We've only done it. Come and have a look.

0:28:290:28:32

Me and the boys, he three of us, we hand over the kitchen. Well done, boys.

0:28:320:28:39

Thank you very much. And they're coming back tomorrow to do some more.

0:28:390:28:44

Good, cos there's another six rooms to do.

0:28:440:28:48

Oh, my...

0:28:480:28:49

One of the most impressive things about a DIY SOS site

0:28:490:28:52

is the number of people working on top of each other -

0:28:520:28:55

plasterers, a electricians, plumbers, chippies, all working on top of each other -

0:28:550:29:00

cos they'd fall out. They don't fall out here,

0:29:000:29:02

cos they know they're doing it for a good cause.

0:29:020:29:05

A real reason to do it. Another good day today.

0:29:050:29:08

Morning, Bill. Bill, morning, morning!

0:29:090:29:12

All right, don't talk to me, please yourself.

0:29:120:29:15

-Good morning.

-Brilliant, flying-fast start.

0:29:150:29:19

My two sparks are the best sparks I've ever worked with on this job.

0:29:190:29:24

LAUGHTER

0:29:240:29:26

Everyone is flat out, like a lizard drinking.

0:29:260:29:28

Mike has come down from the loft to knock a door through the wall on the first floor

0:29:280:29:33

to create a door into Kieron's wet room.

0:29:330:29:37

That's Kieron's bedroom, and the lift comes up into the bedroom.

0:29:370:29:41

We've got wheelchair access going through into a wet room.

0:29:410:29:45

There's a big shower over there and a toilet, wash-hand basin.

0:29:450:29:49

There's a big en-suite bathroom for the bedroom. Lovely, innit?

0:29:490:29:55

We are now going to connect up...

0:29:570:29:59

I wouldn't know how to...

0:29:590:30:00

What would you call it?

0:30:000:30:02

-The poo macerator?

-It's called a macerator.

0:30:030:30:06

-Oh, not a poo macerator?

-No, just a macerator.

0:30:060:30:09

When it reaches a level, the macerator kicks in,

0:30:090:30:12

and it starts chewing up all the toilet paper,

0:30:120:30:15

and it just goes down there out to the soil.

0:30:150:30:17

-Poo?

-The poo, aye.

-Yeah.

0:30:170:30:20

Well, the first room is taking shape now in here.

0:30:200:30:23

I've started to formulate my plans to make the best use of the space.

0:30:230:30:27

I think the bed's going to have to be in the lowest part of the pitch.

0:30:270:30:32

Er, it's a real tricky one, this one.

0:30:320:30:34

I'm going to try and use light and reflective surfaces to try and make the space feel as big as possible.

0:30:340:30:40

There's nothing I can do to actually physically increase the size, so it's all about illusion now.

0:30:400:30:46

I've got a question for you - how many trades can you fit into a three-bedroom terrace?

0:30:480:30:52

It's a bit busy in here, isn't it?

0:30:520:30:55

I'll tell you, 80! That's seven general builders,

0:30:560:30:59

eight scaffolders, ten plasterers, four ramp fitters, three plumbers,

0:30:590:31:02

four electricians, two window fitters, three lift fitters,

0:31:020:31:05

six stair fitters, two joiners, two TV aerial fitters, two kitchen

0:31:050:31:08

fitters, one splashback fitter, two roofers, seven floorers,

0:31:080:31:10

thirteen painters and decorators, two wardrobe fitters and two glaziers.

0:31:100:31:13

Oh, and there's all of us!

0:31:130:31:15

Do you think we've bitten off more than we can chew on this one?

0:31:150:31:18

You're on your own there. You're the gaffer, you looked at it. I just turn up.

0:31:180:31:22

What you need is, like, a television programme,

0:31:220:31:26

that you can phone up and help to help you out with your DIY problems.

0:31:260:31:30

Nah, you see, that'd never work.

0:31:300:31:32

Rubbish idea. Stick to the day job, Chris.

0:31:320:31:34

It's not like you haven't got enough to do.

0:31:340:31:37

It's all stairs and landing. The most busiest room in the house.

0:31:370:31:40

-And then we go back up.

-Patience.

0:31:400:31:43

It's hectic, squeezing past people and that.

0:31:430:31:46

The corridors aren't wide enough for two people sometimes.

0:31:460:31:48

But everyone's dead helpful, like, "You go first, you go first."

0:31:480:31:52

We just work around each other, really.

0:31:520:31:56

Patience.

0:31:580:31:59

Working my way up to the top.

0:31:590:32:01

I'm not looking forward to it.

0:32:010:32:02

We get that point in the build when it gets to the plastering,

0:32:020:32:07

and plasterers like to have a bit of room to themselves,

0:32:070:32:10

and with all those blades flying around all over the place,

0:32:100:32:14

Chris said he wanted all surplus and bulk out of the room,

0:32:140:32:18

which means me, apparently. I'm surplus to requirements.

0:32:180:32:21

Kieron and his family are huge sports fans, football in particular.

0:32:210:32:25

'They're Sunderland season ticket holders, and Kieron played for his local footy and cricket teams.

0:32:250:32:30

'Getting him involved with a team sport is a priority for his recovery.

0:32:300:32:35

'The Newcastle Eagles are one of the country's leading wheelchair basketball squads.

0:32:350:32:41

'The team is made up of both able-bodied and disabled players.

0:32:410:32:45

'Adam Parry runs the sports centre where the teams train.'

0:32:450:32:49

What we're going to do first, we are going to run through getting him into the chair,

0:32:490:32:53

get a chair that kind of is the right size for you.

0:32:530:32:56

'I have a feeling Kieron's going to love this.'

0:32:560:32:59

Just remember where the wheels are.

0:32:590:33:01

So you bounce it slightly further out.

0:33:010:33:03

'After working with Liz for the last year, all Kieron's hard work is paying off.'

0:33:060:33:11

-You can see his sporting ambition kicking in, can't you?

-Yeah.

0:33:160:33:19

He's competitive, he wants to score a basket.

0:33:190:33:21

Yeah, he's not going to stop until he's actually scored a basket.

0:33:210:33:25

-You were quite emotional watching him.

-Absolutely.

0:33:270:33:29

All the things we've worked towards and his goals about being able

0:33:290:33:33

to do things for himself by himself. And here he is doing it.

0:33:330:33:36

Yay!

0:33:380:33:40

That is fantastic!

0:33:400:33:42

There was times when I thought I would never get better, I would always be, like, ill all the time.

0:33:440:33:51

So what's made you have this positive attitude, then?

0:33:510:33:55

You just have to, don't you?

0:33:550:33:57

You just have to...

0:33:570:33:59

It's just life, isn't it? You just have to deal with it and carry on.

0:33:590:34:03

So now that you've come to see this, do you think that you'll keep with it?

0:34:030:34:06

Yeah, definitely, yeah.

0:34:060:34:09

That teacher of yours, Kat, she's nice, isn't she?

0:34:090:34:12

Yeah. Really nice.

0:34:120:34:14

Great pass!

0:34:200:34:22

We're making progress. It's quite time-consuming though.

0:34:310:34:34

She's mad, you know!

0:34:340:34:36

Completely mad. Alison and Darren said Kieron likes IT.

0:34:360:34:40

But really, broken computer parts stuck to plywood?

0:34:400:34:43

Right, so having cleaned all of these old computer component pieces up,

0:34:430:34:48

I've got to arrange them now so that it looks like a thing of beauty.

0:34:480:34:54

It's at this stage that it seems like

0:34:540:34:57

it was a good idea at the time.

0:34:570:34:59

We can afford to bring it out to the edges a bit.

0:34:590:35:01

-Maybe that's the plan then.

-I think that might be the plan.

0:35:010:35:05

Or will we just abandon the whole thing?!

0:35:050:35:08

No-one ever said art was easy, Julia. Look at Van Gogh.

0:35:080:35:10

He cut his ear off, but he never gave up. He was mad too.

0:35:100:35:14

-What?

-What're you doing?!

0:35:140:35:16

Standing up here shouting at you!

0:35:160:35:19

Is it me, or does this house look the same as it did several days ago?

0:35:190:35:22

It's like an optical illusion.

0:35:220:35:24

In the kitchen, Billy's trying to communicate with the local trades.

0:35:240:35:27

It's hard enough to understand Billy at the best of times. I really wish they wouldn't encourage him.

0:35:270:35:32

You'll give us a hand over here.

0:35:320:35:35

SPEAKS IN BROAD DIALECT

0:35:350:35:37

Throw your hammer...

0:35:370:35:39

Throw your hammer over here.

0:35:390:35:41

Please could you pass the hammer?

0:35:410:35:44

Say that again!

0:35:440:35:45

HE REPEATS

0:35:490:35:51

-Yay!

-I've got a natural tongue, haven't I?

0:35:510:35:54

Now, he's a fair old lump, but he's quite sensitive.

0:35:540:35:58

Argh!

0:35:580:35:59

Argh!

0:36:020:36:05

I think they're getting a little too close.

0:36:050:36:07

You're very tickly, aren't you?

0:36:070:36:09

-I'm very tickly.

-You are.

0:36:090:36:11

I don't want to scare anyone, but there's only three days

0:36:130:36:16

till we show this house to the Purvis family.

0:36:160:36:19

It's mission-critical today.

0:36:190:36:22

Otherwise, we will not have lift-off for any of the rooms at all.

0:36:220:36:26

I'm trying to be positive, but there is so much work to do

0:36:260:36:29

in such a small space, and you've got to follow the trades, and, erm, we've got the right guys on the job,

0:36:290:36:36

without a shadow of a doubt, but there's just so much to do.

0:36:360:36:38

No, look, it says, "Plasterers at work (in bad mood)."

0:36:380:36:42

I think we'll go downstairs.

0:36:420:36:44

Chris won't like this!

0:36:450:36:46

Can't Martin read? He's in a bad mood already!

0:36:460:36:49

I'm an electrician, but at the minute, I'm doing a bit of plastering.

0:36:490:36:54

You don't ice your mother's Christmas cake, do you?

0:36:540:36:57

Look at the mess you're getting in!

0:36:570:37:00

-That's good, that, man.

-You want to do one sweeping...move.

0:37:000:37:04

All these stop-starts,

0:37:040:37:06

yeah, it'll, um,

0:37:060:37:09

it'll show in your filler work.

0:37:090:37:11

If either of you two touch my wall, you're dead, right?

0:37:110:37:15

See, he might say he's grumpy, but we all know he's got a heart of gold really.

0:37:150:37:20

Is that a dead animal?

0:37:200:37:22

No, it's just to keep you, to keep you...keep you warm.

0:37:220:37:26

Ugh!

0:37:260:37:28

-It looks like a dead badger, or something.

-No, it's a hat.

0:37:280:37:32

It's a new style of hat.

0:37:320:37:34

Yeah, just put it on, it'll keep your head warm.

0:37:340:37:36

How to make ten years disappear!

0:37:410:37:43

I didn't laugh at you, mate!

0:37:430:37:45

Oh, it's good to see a smile on his face! If a wig is all it takes...

0:37:450:37:50

Oh, here we go. Here's smiler.

0:37:500:37:52

I'm hoping these are for the neighbour and not us.

0:37:520:37:55

Erm, hello, friendly driver!

0:37:550:37:57

Have you got any idea what's going on in the garden?

0:37:570:38:00

Because there's a large truck outside with paving slabs on it.

0:38:000:38:04

Erm...

0:38:040:38:06

-I thought that wasn't happening. Did you say we were going to do the garden?

-No.

0:38:060:38:11

Because I know we've got enough to do in here without doing the garden.

0:38:110:38:15

Very nice of you to bring all these slabs up here. Have you got the right address?

0:38:150:38:20

I hope so.

0:38:200:38:22

What address have you got?

0:38:220:38:24

-This one.

-Is it?!

0:38:240:38:26

That's the order, that's the delivery.

0:38:260:38:29

Miss Julia Kendell has put an order in for a load of paving slabs.

0:38:290:38:34

She can get it unloaded and get it in the back.

0:38:340:38:36

Why don't you do it? Might you break a nail?

0:38:360:38:39

You miserable old...

0:38:390:38:41

Hmm.

0:38:410:38:43

Nick, we'd like you and Martin to have a chat.

0:38:430:38:46

He's bought a wedding ring for his girlfriend and he wants to propose to her tomorrow on camera.

0:38:460:38:53

-What d'you think?

-What do I think?

-Don't talk him out of it.

0:38:530:38:55

It's a big step. Have you thought it through?

0:38:550:38:58

-Yeah.

-Really?

-Mm-hm.

0:38:580:39:00

-I mean, there's a lot of fish in the sea.

-Oh, I know. I've found me fish.

0:39:000:39:03

She's going to be so warmed by being described as a fish!

0:39:030:39:07

Have you been practising a lot?

0:39:070:39:09

-On Billy and Gary as well, yeah.

-Have you got all your lines ready?

0:39:090:39:12

-Uh-huh.

-What knee are you going down on?

0:39:120:39:14

I haven't picked a knee yet.

0:39:140:39:16

You've got to pick a knee, or else you're going to go,

0:39:160:39:19

"Oh, what knee am I going to go on?" It's like that, isn't it?

0:39:190:39:22

-Apparently. I've never done it myself.

-I'll pick a knee.

0:39:220:39:26

-Go on, then, practise.

-This one.

0:39:260:39:29

-Go on.

-Give us your hand.

0:39:290:39:31

Emma, will you marry me?

0:39:340:39:36

Of course I will, darling.

0:39:360:39:37

Aw! Thank you!

0:39:370:39:40

I thought he was going to kiss him for a minute there.

0:39:400:39:43

Oh, watch out.

0:39:450:39:46

Oh, that's fantastic!

0:39:460:39:47

Is there... Sorry to interrupt. Is there some way that we can get

0:39:480:39:53

Kieron off this into the main part of the garden?

0:39:530:39:56

Well, then you're looking at ramping off the existing platforms.

0:39:560:40:00

Yeah. Can you have a look at that for me?

0:40:000:40:02

Only just, I think it would be really nice to be able

0:40:020:40:05

to get Kieron into the garden with the rest of the family.

0:40:050:40:08

We can have a look and see once we get that platform in.

0:40:080:40:12

-That would be grand.

-We'll see what we can sort out.

0:40:120:40:14

It might look like she's taking advantage, but if you don't ask, you don't get.

0:40:140:40:18

And it's for a good cause, so you can't blame her, can you?

0:40:180:40:21

Finished.

0:40:230:40:24

Ta-da!

0:40:250:40:27

All stairs and landing.

0:40:270:40:29

It's hard to believe, though, isn't it, when you look around,

0:40:290:40:32

that in two days' time, they're moving back in?

0:40:320:40:35

It's almost frightening.

0:40:380:40:40

But what can you do? Got to crack on.

0:40:400:40:42

You have got to crack on...

0:40:420:40:44

and dance. Rave, anyone?

0:40:440:40:46

Isn't it a lovely day? Bright sunshine.

0:40:500:40:53

And it's a day for a big push too.

0:40:530:40:54

We've got loads to do. Loads of woodwork still, loads of plumbing, and loads of pretty much everything.

0:40:540:41:00

Will we get there? Yes, of course we will!

0:41:000:41:03

-Where are we at with the kitchen?

-The kitchen's nearly finished.

0:41:080:41:11

-Yep.

-The folks are coming back tonight to put the door handles on, trims.

-What about this floor?

0:41:110:41:16

-We're going to do that this afternoon.

-You and Matt?

-Yeah.

-Are you all right there?

0:41:160:41:21

-Yep.

-A little bit easier day for you now all your plastering buddies have gone.

0:41:210:41:25

Six days of flat-out plastering.

0:41:250:41:27

Very special, those boys, though.

0:41:270:41:29

Oh, good boys. Very, very good boys. The borders and the spreads.

0:41:290:41:33

What amazes me is they offer you a day

0:41:330:41:35

and then they say, "D'you know what, I'm going to cancel the rest of the week, I'll see you tomorrow."

0:41:350:41:40

Because they can see what you're doing. Amazing.

0:41:400:41:43

Mike and his crew were only supposed to be doing the loft, then they did the wet room and the stairs,

0:41:430:41:48

and now they're staying on to help Julia.

0:41:480:41:51

Right, I finally have

0:41:510:41:53

my layout for the room.

0:41:530:41:55

What we're going to do...

0:41:550:41:56

Don't run away, because this is going to involve you too, Michael. Agh!

0:41:560:42:01

It's all getting a bit tight in here, a bit cosy.

0:42:010:42:04

Right, imagine the wall's brought forward, and we're going to make,

0:42:040:42:08

put an acrylic panel on the front,

0:42:080:42:10

and then the bed sits inside it.

0:42:100:42:14

And this is all going to be padded out inside,

0:42:140:42:16

a sort of reflective sheeting.

0:42:160:42:18

And around all of this, behind is going to be blue LED lighting,

0:42:180:42:21

so it will all glow.

0:42:210:42:22

-Yeah.

-Wouldn't you have loved that when you were an 11 year-old?

0:42:220:42:26

I would love to have it now, never mind when I was 11!

0:42:260:42:29

'After days of proposing to Jules, Martin's moment has finally arrived.

0:42:290:42:35

'His girlfriend, Emma, has been lured to the house under false pretences.'

0:42:350:42:39

Hands up for tea.

0:42:390:42:41

Tea!

0:42:410:42:43

'..and any moment now, he's going to get down on one knee!

0:42:430:42:46

'He's a brave man, isn't he? What if she says no?

0:42:460:42:49

'What if she says yes?!'

0:42:490:42:52

I kind of like lied to you in a way.

0:42:520:42:53

-This isn't an open day.

-Why?

0:42:530:42:56

-Because I've got something to ask you.

-What?

0:42:560:42:59

-You know I love you to bits, more than anything in the world?

-Mmm.

0:42:590:43:03

I thought it's the best place to ask you, in front of everyone,

0:43:030:43:06

so everyone knows I love you, so...will you marry us?

0:43:060:43:09

Yes.

0:43:090:43:11

-NICK SOBS

-'I just love a wedding!

0:43:140:43:16

'Martin and Emma have got it all to look forward to, and I know what I'm talking about. I was married once.'

0:43:160:43:23

Back to work, come on!

0:43:230:43:25

Well, at least someone's got their priorities right.

0:43:250:43:28

Some lovely fellas from up the road are laying Julia's surprise paving stones.

0:43:280:43:32

She did have the idea about keeping the same flooring

0:43:320:43:35

running through the ground floor, so we'll let her off.

0:43:350:43:38

There's a dancer in you trying to get out.

0:43:380:43:41

Considering this room was this big before. By taking the landing back,

0:43:430:43:47

we've managed to make this a bigger room.

0:43:470:43:49

It's starting to look like a decent-sized bedroom now.

0:43:490:43:52

-Even with the dark wallpaper, it still makes it a decent size. It makes it cosy.

-Yeah.

0:43:520:43:57

I like it, actually. I think it's starting to look like

0:43:570:44:00

one of those, like what you said at the beginning of the week.

0:44:000:44:03

It's like a sort of, as a sort of, er...boutique-hotel feel to it.

0:44:030:44:06

A bit of luxury.

0:44:060:44:07

-Nice at the end of the day to come back to that.

-Exactly.

0:44:070:44:10

Really sort of, er, lush, and generally embracing.

0:44:100:44:13

And besides which, I'm taking a whole positive view on design now, aren't I?

0:44:130:44:17

-Hee!

-Are you liking it?

0:44:170:44:20

Yes, I'm just waiting to see how long it lasts.

0:44:200:44:22

No, I'm determined to carry it through, no matter what I think of the place.

0:44:220:44:26

I think it's lovely, actually.

0:44:270:44:29

-Shall we go and have a look at these...

-Yeah.

0:44:290:44:31

-The loft. Shall we have a look?

-Got a little capsule bed at the end there.

0:44:310:44:36

-Is that what is going on? Yes. A little capsule bed under there?

-Yes.

0:44:360:44:39

-Space pod bed.

-It is a great use of the space.

0:44:390:44:42

If you have a tight space, you might as well make it feel like you're inside a rocket.

0:44:420:44:46

Building the bed in has helped.

0:44:460:44:48

And yeah, we just had to make some reflective surfaces and make it feel like as big as possible.

0:44:480:44:53

Dylan and Colin are going to love it up here. Their grandma's

0:44:530:44:57

has been looking after them for the last year whilst Kieron

0:44:570:45:00

and their mum and dad have been living in Newcastle.

0:45:000:45:03

It would be nice to have everyone home. What is it like not having Kieron around at the moment?

0:45:030:45:08

It's a long time that he has been away.

0:45:080:45:10

Since Kieron's been in hospital, the family has been all split up.

0:45:100:45:15

We haven't had that bond.

0:45:150:45:18

With the house being done,

0:45:180:45:20

we will be back together and stronger than ever.

0:45:200:45:23

It is nice to know there's an end in sight and that they're going to get home. That will be brilliant.

0:45:230:45:28

What is to stop him having his hand over the side and getting it caught?

0:45:290:45:34

These edges, are safety edges.

0:45:340:45:37

Same on the bottom.

0:45:370:45:38

Look at that!

0:45:400:45:42

It moves away from the obstruction.

0:45:420:45:43

-I was brave, wasn't I?

-You were brave.

0:45:450:45:47

It is nerve-racking. That's why I asked you to do it.

0:45:470:45:50

'Plainly, you should not try this at home.

0:45:520:45:54

'Most half-tonne lumps of metal don't stop when you get in the way.

0:45:540:45:58

'But this one does!

0:45:580:46:00

'We would rather check it on us than the kids.'

0:46:000:46:02

-It is good, isn't it?

-Just touched me tummy.

0:46:020:46:04

'It's time for the big push. No, no-one is having a baby.

0:46:090:46:12

'All hands to the pumps, even mine.'

0:46:120:46:15

One of those and one of those...

0:46:150:46:16

The young man got asked to go downstairs to

0:46:160:46:19

see the slightly portly fellow for some 80ml screws and he comes down and he walks straight to Knowlesy!

0:46:190:46:25

You're chuffed to bits.

0:46:260:46:27

'He's got no future in TV, that kid.'

0:46:270:46:29

So, ten hours to countdown. That's it.

0:46:290:46:32

-Happy, lads?

-Yep.

-Just got to keep going.

0:46:320:46:35

You want to start bending that way. Get a bit of a curve going.

0:46:350:46:39

Champion!

0:46:390:46:41

I'm not going to school today!

0:46:440:46:46

I'm staying in bed. Please.

0:46:460:46:49

Knock, knock, we'll going to finish your house.

0:46:510:46:54

This is nice!

0:46:540:46:56

All coming together, innit?

0:46:570:46:59

Where's that piece of rubbish you made?

0:46:590:47:01

Eh, my extraordinary piece of art...

0:47:010:47:04

-is here.

-Oh, right, that's it. Propped up against the skip!

0:47:040:47:08

Ha, ha, ha(!)

0:47:080:47:09

Look at that!

0:47:090:47:11

Most people throw things like that in the bin. But not Julia Kendell.

0:47:110:47:16

I like it.

0:47:200:47:21

Nine days ago we rocked up to this ordinary terraced house in Durham

0:47:250:47:29

with the aim of making it extraordinary for 17-year-old Kieron and his family.

0:47:290:47:34

To get all the family back together and him,

0:47:340:47:38

with his bit of independence, and work on from there. That'll make my year.

0:47:380:47:42

I'll never ask for anything else ever!

0:47:420:47:45

With the help of dozens of tradesmen who volunteered

0:47:450:47:50

from the local community, and worked like a toon army...

0:47:500:47:53

..we've transformed it into a place where Kieron can have independence and freedom.

0:47:540:48:01

And best of all where he can at last be together with his family.

0:48:010:48:06

When we bring Kieron home and the house is finished,

0:48:060:48:09

it's going to be wonderful...end to what's been an horrendous year.

0:48:090:48:15

It would be nice to close the door on it and say,

0:48:150:48:18

we've got him past that stage, we've got him through everything.

0:48:180:48:21

and we've finally got him home where he belongs.

0:48:210:48:24

Before we arrived, getting into the house was like an obstacle course for Kieron.

0:48:260:48:30

We've made it completely wheelchair friendly,

0:48:300:48:33

and we started with a ramp, which may not seem much to you and I, but for this family means everything.

0:48:330:48:39

The first of the changes you'll see straightaway.

0:48:440:48:47

Cool.

0:48:470:48:50

'How much this means is written all over mum and dad's faces.'

0:48:500:48:54

The idea was to get you an access ramp so you'd actually get straight

0:48:540:48:58

off the back garden, you'd get in an out of your own accord,

0:48:580:49:00

'Something as simple as being able to get in and out of

0:49:000:49:04

'the house by himself will make a huge difference to Kieron.'

0:49:040:49:07

Then at the bottom you get to a flat part there.

0:49:070:49:10

But we haven't stopped there.

0:49:100:49:12

We've completely redesigned the kitchen, opening out the space,

0:49:120:49:16

so it's accessible to everyone.

0:49:160:49:18

We've moved the stairs to make way for a state-of-the-art

0:49:230:49:27

through-floor lift that links the kitchen

0:49:270:49:30

directly to Kieron's room.

0:49:300:49:33

The clean lines and uplifting colours have helped create a room

0:49:350:49:39

where the whole family will want to spend time together,

0:49:390:49:43

something they haven't been able to do for almost a year.

0:49:430:49:47

-Are you nervous about what you're going to see?

-Yeah.

0:49:500:49:53

Well, we know you needed

0:49:530:49:54

a real space that you could have all the family in,

0:49:540:49:57

and it's difficult it's such a tight space, architecturally.

0:49:570:50:01

Shall I stop waffling and let you open your eyes?

0:50:010:50:04

OK, ready? Three, two, one, open your eyes!

0:50:040:50:06

-Oh!

-Bloody hell!

0:50:060:50:09

It's amazing.

0:50:100:50:12

You couldn't even imagine this space looking like this. I know.

0:50:120:50:16

-It's amazing how much space we've created?

-Uh-huh.

0:50:160:50:18

That's one thing we were thinking, when his lift went in,

0:50:180:50:21

was keeping the table here, and that just this works perfectly.

0:50:210:50:25

-He can get round himself, all the units.

-Mm-hm.

0:50:250:50:28

I like where the cooker is and the lights underneath.

0:50:280:50:31

Do you forgive us for taking your kitchen out?

0:50:340:50:36

Yeah!

0:50:360:50:38

The big thing was, of course, the lift, wasn't it?

0:50:380:50:42

Cool.

0:50:440:50:45

-So how have we done?

-Fabulous.

0:50:460:50:49

Absolutely brilliant.

0:50:490:50:51

Of course it's the upstairs that's seen the biggest redesign.

0:51:010:51:05

In Kieron's room we've created an open-plan space

0:51:120:51:15

which is both stylish and functional.

0:51:150:51:18

He's got a hi-tech room both in looks and content.

0:51:210:51:27

And that piece of artwork by Julia - stunning.

0:51:270:51:30

Julia's designed a wheelchair friendly space where 17-year-old

0:51:320:51:36

Kieron can do his own thing just like any other teenager.

0:51:360:51:40

We knocked through into the next bedroom to create a wet room,

0:51:400:51:44

which is ergonomically designed for Kieron's needs.

0:51:440:51:47

He's got privacy, independence and a pretty cool pad to hang out in.

0:51:470:51:52

All of which is accessible via his new lift.

0:51:520:51:55

What do you think, mate?

0:52:030:52:05

It's class. I think it's brilliant.

0:52:060:52:09

It's mint, isn't it?

0:52:140:52:16

Well, we aim to please.

0:52:160:52:18

Oh, it's massive, isn't it?

0:52:200:52:22

So you've got your own independent little apartment here.

0:52:230:52:27

Yes? With your own room, your own wet room.

0:52:270:52:30

It's for your own independence.

0:52:300:52:31

Also our friends up at Sunderland first team have all signed a shirt for you.

0:52:310:52:36

-We haven't got the wrong team? It's Newcastle you support, isn't it?

-No! Sunderland.

0:52:360:52:41

Will there be a fight over who's allowed in here now?

0:52:410:52:43

-Yeah, just me.

-Just you.

0:52:430:52:45

You've got your own shower.

0:52:450:52:47

-Thank you very much.

-Happy with all this?

0:52:470:52:49

Yeah. Brilliant, I love it.

0:52:490:52:51

Took a little bit of redesigning.

0:52:510:52:54

So, for a year you've been living at the hospital

0:52:560:52:59

-without a proper bedroom.

-Yeah.

0:52:590:53:00

Before that you were living in an unconverted loft.

0:53:000:53:03

Mm-hm, more or less.

0:53:030:53:05

-It's a while since you've had any luxury?

-Definitely.

0:53:050:53:08

So wouldn't it be nice if we'd made an extra bedroom for your mum and dad?

0:53:080:53:12

Yeah, it'd be brilliant, yeah. He would love it.

0:53:120:53:15

With a lot of effort, a sledgehammer, and some

0:53:160:53:19

design jiggery-pokery, we've done just that.

0:53:190:53:23

We turned a tiny single bedroom into a luxurious boutique-style boudoir.

0:53:260:53:30

All that effort moving the dividing wall has made the most of the space,

0:53:350:53:39

and it's a proper grown-up room where Alison and Darren can get away from it all.

0:53:390:53:43

Oh!

0:53:500:53:51

God, it's beautiful!

0:53:520:53:54

-What do you think?

-It's wonderful, fabulous.

0:53:550:53:57

-I love the light.

-Big chunky bed.

0:53:570:53:59

The light is gorgeous.

0:53:590:54:01

You've done an amazing job. Absolutely brilliant.

0:54:020:54:05

-Whilst he's got his own independence in what's effectively an apartment next door...

-Yeah.

0:54:050:54:11

..you're on only next door if he needs any help.

0:54:110:54:13

-If he needs us.

-This is what I was worried about.

0:54:130:54:16

I was worried about...

0:54:160:54:18

The size we were left with, but it's amazing.

0:54:180:54:21

We had to make a hell of a mess of this before we made it any nicer.

0:54:210:54:26

-Has Julia got it right, your sort of design?

-She's got it perfect.

0:54:260:54:30

It's wonderful.

0:54:300:54:32

So at the end of a very, very tough year...

0:54:320:54:35

is this the kind of place you were hoping you could get?

0:54:350:54:38

More. Could never have imagined it like this.

0:54:380:54:41

And for Kieron as well, who's spent the last year and a half

0:54:410:54:44

in hospital, on and off, but for the last year in particular,

0:54:440:54:49

how much has he wanted to get home?

0:54:490:54:51

He's been able to come home since May.

0:54:510:54:54

So when's he coming home?

0:54:540:54:55

Tonight. He's there now, he's not getting back to that hospital now.

0:54:550:55:00

And the only way to get the whole family back under one roof was to go up into the attic.

0:55:000:55:05

We maximised the available floor space to give Connor and Dylan a room each.

0:55:050:55:10

And what rooms.

0:55:100:55:12

With a galactic effort we turned an empty shell

0:55:150:55:17

into super-cool loft bedrooms.

0:55:170:55:20

Julia's put the fun back into functional.

0:55:200:55:23

Whoa!

0:55:250:55:27

Ah, it's amazing, that.

0:55:320:55:34

-I like the ropes n' that, it's like a ring.

-Wrestling ring?

-Yeah.

0:55:360:55:40

I love it. It's amazing.

0:55:400:55:41

Yeah? Happy with it?

0:55:410:55:43

-Yeah.

-Marks out of ten?

-20.

0:55:430:55:46

Dylan's room is out of this world,

0:55:510:55:54

and he's struck dumb.

0:55:540:55:58

Do you like it?

0:55:580:56:00

Marks out of ten?

0:56:010:56:03

-Ten.

-Out of all the things, what's the best thing?

0:56:030:56:07

Having my brother home.

0:56:070:56:08

Thought it might be. Come on,

0:56:080:56:11

let's go back and join the family.

0:56:110:56:13

And it's not just Kieron's family downstairs, it's also some of the 80

0:56:130:56:18

men and women who've helped make this family's dreams come true.

0:56:180:56:22

We couldn't do this if it wasn't for you guys all giving up your time.

0:56:220:56:28

What you've done here is not just do a building, is you've brought

0:56:280:56:31

a family back together so, we'd like to thank you for all you've done.

0:56:310:56:34

Kieron's been in hospital since 16th of December, and we couldn't bring him home

0:56:370:56:42

until the adaptations were done in the house, for him to come home.

0:56:420:56:47

And you've all made that possible. I...

0:56:470:56:50

Thank you all very much.

0:56:500:56:51

Thank you very much for everything you've done, getting us back home.

0:56:540:56:58

It's been... Can't thank you enough.

0:56:580:57:00

Thank you very much.

0:57:010:57:04

-Welcome home, fella.

-Thank you very much. Thank you.

0:57:060:57:09

Gerbils'll get lost.

0:57:090:57:11

It is going to make an enormous difference, they can all be back together again.

0:57:110:57:15

The boys will have Mum and Dad back.

0:57:150:57:17

Kieron has got his independence.

0:57:170:57:19

-There is a downside.

-What's that?

-You're back with grandad now.

0:57:190:57:23

Yeah, God, don't remind me!

0:57:230:57:25

-All right, mate?

-Thank you.

-It's been a pleasure.

0:57:270:57:30

Proud to do it for you, mate.

0:57:300:57:32

What is the best part of the house, what did you like most?

0:57:330:57:36

I liked to have Kieron come home.

0:57:360:57:38

Ah, that's brilliant, yeah.

0:57:380:57:40

This village was an old mining community, and work is hard to come by.

0:57:400:57:44

These trades have all decided to give up time because they realise

0:57:440:57:48

that when people need help, you have to come together as a community.

0:57:480:57:52

And what they've done is not just rebuilt a house,

0:57:520:57:55

they've put this family back together.

0:57:550:57:57

What a fantastic thing to do.

0:57:570:57:59

And two months later, the family are celebrating a special day together.

0:58:010:58:07

It's really nice being back together.

0:58:090:58:11

If it wasn't for DIY SOS and everybody that helped,

0:58:110:58:15

he'd still be in hospital.

0:58:150:58:17

His wet room, it's working really well for him.

0:58:170:58:20

He's now got his independence back and he's getting on with his life.

0:58:200:58:24

It's amazing.

0:58:240:58:25

It's given us everything being back home.

0:58:250:58:28

It's given us more energy,

0:58:280:58:31

and more willpower to go back to school, get on legs 'n that.

0:58:310:58:34

Couldn't wish for anything else.

0:58:370:58:39

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

0:58:500:58:54

E-mail [email protected]

0:58:540:58:58

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