The Big Build - Conwy

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0:00:02 > 0:00:03Welcome to DIY SOS,

0:00:03 > 0:00:06this week coming to you from a little village near Betws-y-Coed,

0:00:06 > 0:00:09which is in beautiful, mountainous, North Wales.

0:00:09 > 0:00:13My team are like coiled springs ready to go. Oi! Come on!

0:00:14 > 0:00:19We have only nine days to turn an empty shell into a family home,

0:00:19 > 0:00:22so David Williams and his eight year old daughter, Erica,

0:00:22 > 0:00:26can leave their dilapidated caravan. David's wife died two years ago.

0:00:26 > 0:00:29Now he's ill too.

0:00:29 > 0:00:31It makes me feel really scared, cos I lost my mother

0:00:31 > 0:00:35because of cancer and I might lose my father as well.

0:00:36 > 0:00:43My main worry is leaving Erica in the bloody dilapidated caravan.

0:00:43 > 0:00:45That's a huge problem for me.

0:00:45 > 0:00:48And it's a huge task for us.

0:00:48 > 0:00:51- That's never going to patch in, is it?- No.- Look at the water in that!

0:00:51 > 0:00:54And we'll be battling the elements and working every hour we can

0:00:54 > 0:00:57to try and turn this family's life around.

0:00:57 > 0:01:00We've need this all in, otherwise the house won't work.

0:01:00 > 0:01:02DRILL RATTLES

0:01:02 > 0:01:06As usual, we've entered into a mammoth build, and the question is,

0:01:06 > 0:01:09being a rural community, are we going to find the people to help?

0:01:09 > 0:01:12Anybody know if there's anybody around that can help?

0:01:12 > 0:01:13THEY SHOUT

0:01:13 > 0:01:16I think we'll be all right, don't you? This is DIY SOS, The Big Build.

0:01:16 > 0:01:19CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

0:01:29 > 0:01:33This is David and Erica Williams.

0:01:33 > 0:01:34Through illness and family loss,

0:01:34 > 0:01:39they find themselves stuck living in a dilapidated and damp old caravan,

0:01:39 > 0:01:43next door to the shell of what was once going to be their family house.

0:01:43 > 0:01:47It was going to be a big house, our dream home,

0:01:47 > 0:01:52with the perfect kitchen, exactly how Mum wanted it to be.

0:01:52 > 0:01:57My bedroom was going to be massive. Everything we've always wished for.

0:01:57 > 0:02:00Tragically, Erica's mum, Gemma,

0:02:00 > 0:02:03passed away two years ago before the house was finished.

0:02:03 > 0:02:07Eight-year-old Erica and her dad, David,

0:02:07 > 0:02:10have now been living in the caravan for over six years.

0:02:10 > 0:02:14This is my Dad's bedroom, where I used to sleep.

0:02:14 > 0:02:18It used to be quite a nice little room, but it isn't any more.

0:02:18 > 0:02:21It's full of cobwebs and things.

0:02:21 > 0:02:24And this is the hallway/kitchen.

0:02:26 > 0:02:27And then that's our bathroom.

0:02:27 > 0:02:31And then we come to the living room.

0:02:31 > 0:02:34And this is actually where Dad sleeps now.

0:02:34 > 0:02:38Right, here's my tiny, cramped, bedroom.

0:02:38 > 0:02:42There's not much in it.

0:02:42 > 0:02:46That's my favourite photo of my mum and her mum with her pet dog.

0:02:47 > 0:02:50David and his wife, Gemma, moved into the caravan

0:02:50 > 0:02:54when Erica was only two. David immediately started the build.

0:02:54 > 0:02:58But after four years of hard work, just as the house was beginning

0:02:58 > 0:03:03to come together, the family were hit by tragedy.

0:03:03 > 0:03:06I think it was Friday evening, late October, 2008.

0:03:06 > 0:03:09The doctor phoned me up - "Would I take my wife to hospital?"

0:03:09 > 0:03:13When they'd finished prodding her and poking her and analysing

0:03:13 > 0:03:15and doing what they do, they said,

0:03:15 > 0:03:18"Oh, Gemma's got an advanced tumour on her pancreas,

0:03:18 > 0:03:20"and she's got five months to live."

0:03:20 > 0:03:24You think, "Well, that can't possibly be right,

0:03:24 > 0:03:26"there's something wrong there."

0:03:26 > 0:03:31Erica was only five-years-old at the time.

0:03:31 > 0:03:35You can't take the baby's mother at five, you know?

0:03:39 > 0:03:43You know, she lasted five months and that was it.

0:03:43 > 0:03:48Then a few months after my wife died, I started becoming ill.

0:03:48 > 0:03:52'Late October/November 2009,'

0:03:52 > 0:03:57I was told I had an advanced tumour on me colon.

0:03:57 > 0:04:01Whilst David coped with treatment, a family friend, Emma,

0:04:01 > 0:04:03looked after Erica.

0:04:03 > 0:04:06Gemma just wanted to build this home for her little girl.

0:04:06 > 0:04:09She felt so lucky that they were going to have this lovely house

0:04:09 > 0:04:12that they could move into.

0:04:12 > 0:04:16And, you know, I always promised her that I'd look out for Erica.

0:04:16 > 0:04:19David's doctors immediately started treatment,

0:04:19 > 0:04:24but six months of chemotherapy has left him weak, unable to work,

0:04:24 > 0:04:27and trying to recuperate in a freezing-cold caravan,

0:04:27 > 0:04:31with his daughter, Erica, as his main carer.

0:04:31 > 0:04:34I really, really worry about my dad, and it's not going to help him

0:04:34 > 0:04:36get any better with sleeping on the sofa

0:04:36 > 0:04:39and living in a tiny, cramped, caravan.

0:04:40 > 0:04:43Finishing this house and getting David and Erica

0:04:43 > 0:04:46out of the crumbling caravan is now vital.

0:04:47 > 0:04:51How long have you looked at this building and thought

0:04:51 > 0:04:55of you and Erica actually sitting in a finished building together,

0:04:55 > 0:04:58and having that normal "kid running around the house"

0:04:58 > 0:05:01kind of life that everybody sort of takes for granted?

0:05:01 > 0:05:03Well, that's what we've always wanted for her,

0:05:03 > 0:05:06but I've looked at it every day and thought, you know,

0:05:06 > 0:05:09"How's it going to happen? Is it going to happen?"

0:05:09 > 0:05:13Which you don't get to choose when cancer comes along, obviously.

0:05:13 > 0:05:17What's your prognosis, with your illness, now?

0:05:17 > 0:05:20Erm, at the moment, I've just got to wait and see.

0:05:20 > 0:05:24It's not possible, they tell me, to detect a few cancer cells.

0:05:24 > 0:05:28You've got to have hundreds, which, you know, if you've got hundreds, then it's too late.

0:05:28 > 0:05:31But I've got to wait and see, and I'm told that if I'm alive

0:05:31 > 0:05:33in five years, then I'm obviously not dead.

0:05:33 > 0:05:37And if I'm alive in ten years, then I'm definitely not dead.

0:05:37 > 0:05:39And that's the prognosis I've got at the moment.

0:05:39 > 0:05:43Well, we hope we can change the building, obviously, but my worry

0:05:43 > 0:05:48is how much we can change things for Erica, cos at the end of the day...

0:05:48 > 0:05:51Well, with Erica, if the house gets finished,

0:05:51 > 0:05:55then you're turning her little life back up the right way round,

0:05:55 > 0:05:56which is where it should be,

0:05:56 > 0:05:59and we can move on with developing her as an adult, then.

0:05:59 > 0:06:02All right, well, where are you staying at the moment?

0:06:02 > 0:06:04In a tiny touring caravan the other side of the Wye.

0:06:04 > 0:06:07So we've moved you from a very large caravan...

0:06:07 > 0:06:08Into a tiny touring caravan.

0:06:08 > 0:06:12OK, well, it's a temporary move, because within nine days,

0:06:12 > 0:06:13you'll be back here,

0:06:13 > 0:06:16and we'll be showing you off what we've done with this house,

0:06:16 > 0:06:19which I promise you, will be as much as we

0:06:19 > 0:06:21and the local community, can do.

0:06:22 > 0:06:26To start our build, we need to clear the site,

0:06:26 > 0:06:28and that means getting rid of the caravan.

0:06:30 > 0:06:34It may be falling apart, but it's full of memories,

0:06:34 > 0:06:37and is the only home Erica has ever known.

0:06:37 > 0:06:40MUSIC: "There's A Reason" by AA Bondy

0:06:59 > 0:07:03Well, I feel quite sad, but, you know, life's life.

0:07:03 > 0:07:06We've got to move on.

0:07:06 > 0:07:09We couldn't just live in that smelly old caravan forever.

0:07:09 > 0:07:13The basic structure of this house may be in place,

0:07:13 > 0:07:15but there's a lot of work to do.

0:07:15 > 0:07:18We definitely can't fix this alone.

0:07:18 > 0:07:21- Can you hear a rumble?- I can hear the pitter-patter of little feet!

0:07:21 > 0:07:24- Can you hear a rumble? Can you hear that?- Rumble?

0:07:24 > 0:07:26Look at that! Too many to count!

0:07:26 > 0:07:30Wonderful, Welsh warriors coming to the rescue.

0:07:30 > 0:07:32I love it!

0:07:32 > 0:07:35Window fitters over there. There you go, look.

0:07:35 > 0:07:37CHATTERING

0:07:37 > 0:07:40- Sparks!- So you're on window fitters and general?

0:07:40 > 0:07:43- And, erm... - Talkers.- Yeah, that figures!

0:07:43 > 0:07:47What a fantastic turnout, isn't it? I think we can get this started!

0:07:47 > 0:07:50Ladies and gentlemen, site is open! Get at it! Get in, have a look!

0:07:50 > 0:07:53Let the dog see the rabbit! In you go! Come on, hut, hut, hut!

0:07:56 > 0:07:59David has put a lot of hard work into this building

0:07:59 > 0:08:02and has got the basic structure in place, but, actually,

0:08:02 > 0:08:05the only thing we don't have to do here is build walls.

0:08:06 > 0:08:09Oh, enthusiasm around today, which is nice!

0:08:09 > 0:08:15A build isn't just about building, it's about logistics, and we have miserable man who deals with that.

0:08:15 > 0:08:19It's all a bit mad first morning. 73 people turned up to do the job.

0:08:19 > 0:08:24You know, 20 plasterers, 12 chippies, loads of fencers, and everything else going on.

0:08:24 > 0:08:28- It's just getting materials in and keeping things flowing up and down here.- Cheer up, smiler!

0:08:28 > 0:08:32Everyone's raring to go, but one vital thing's missing - that'll be a floor.

0:08:32 > 0:08:35The floor's arrived!

0:08:35 > 0:08:38'Carpenter's putting the floors down,

0:08:38 > 0:08:42'and once the floors are down, then we can start plasterboarding'

0:08:42 > 0:08:45the ceilings, which will then release the walls.

0:08:45 > 0:08:48We've got to follow the carpenters when the floor's going down.

0:08:48 > 0:08:51- Andy.- Hello Andy, and this is Joe. Hello, Joe, how you doing?

0:08:51 > 0:08:55Andy and Joe made the stairs for us last week, came and measured up.

0:08:55 > 0:08:58- Oh, lovely, so you're all ready to go, are you?- I hope so, yeah.

0:08:58 > 0:09:02- Will they fit?- Yeah! We'll soon find out!- Hang on a second!

0:09:02 > 0:09:05Oi, what's going on? Turn around, turn around! What's going on with...

0:09:05 > 0:09:08What's that about? What's going on with the trousers down his leg?

0:09:08 > 0:09:14- That's all the trend, innit?- Is it? - Oh, he's very trendy out there!

0:09:14 > 0:09:18'From designer pants, to this week's designer, who certainly isn't pants.

0:09:18 > 0:09:21'In fact, she's a superstar of the interior design world.'

0:09:21 > 0:09:24A very famous lady indeed.

0:09:24 > 0:09:28This designer is a bit sort of up there, as a pose to where we are.

0:09:28 > 0:09:32- She's tall? What, she's taller than Mark, you mean?- She's not!

0:09:32 > 0:09:34She's bound to be taller than Mark, isn't she?!

0:09:34 > 0:09:38Essentially, she'd done work for the Jordanian royal family.

0:09:38 > 0:09:43She does top-notch, posh pads. She's very keen, apparently,

0:09:43 > 0:09:45to get involved. So I'd like you to give her all the love

0:09:45 > 0:09:48and affection we always give our designers.

0:09:48 > 0:09:51- Yeah, no, no, no.- Make her feel at home in the way that we always do.

0:09:51 > 0:09:54We don't put 'em down, it's you, with their colours

0:09:54 > 0:09:56and curtains and everything, and their design!

0:09:56 > 0:09:59- You do fight them.- That is right, actually.- You do fight them.

0:09:59 > 0:10:02The ladies name is Nina, so bowing, I think,

0:10:02 > 0:10:05is probably how you should address her.

0:10:05 > 0:10:09- Do we have to say, "Ma'am," and all that?- Ma'am? No, but you should!

0:10:09 > 0:10:13- And also, you should...- ALL: Oh!

0:10:13 > 0:10:15CHRIS: Senor!

0:10:19 > 0:10:23That's right, we have the doyenne of interior design,

0:10:23 > 0:10:25Nina Campbell, on board.

0:10:25 > 0:10:27Nina has designed royal residences

0:10:27 > 0:10:30and five-star hotels around the world.

0:10:30 > 0:10:35Nina's passionate about creating warm, homely designs,

0:10:35 > 0:10:38which is just what David and Erica need.

0:10:38 > 0:10:42She's determined to turn this breeze block shell

0:10:42 > 0:10:45into a beautiful, Welsh, country cottage.

0:10:47 > 0:10:51- Hello!- Hello.- You're Lady Nina. - I am. And you're Lord Nick.

0:10:51 > 0:10:55- Well, I only wish! Oh, there you go! - 'Ello, mate! 'Ello, Lady Nina!

0:10:55 > 0:10:57- Hello, how are you? - Would I kiss you, or curtsy?

0:10:57 > 0:11:00Only if you give me one of those purple shirts!

0:11:00 > 0:11:03Have any shirt you want, as long as you ain't changing the plans!

0:11:03 > 0:11:05- No, as long as they're what we asked for!- Yes.

0:11:05 > 0:11:08I was wondering if you'd take Lady Nina round the site,

0:11:08 > 0:11:10introduce her to various people?

0:11:10 > 0:11:15- I could do that, yeah, by all means. - Shall we start at this door?

0:11:15 > 0:11:18- The kitchen?- Yeah, cos I think it's the more natural way of entry

0:11:18 > 0:11:20into the house, really.

0:11:20 > 0:11:23Can you imagine living in a caravan for that amount of time?

0:11:23 > 0:11:26What this family need is the things we take for granted -

0:11:26 > 0:11:29walls, ceilings, floors, electric light, curtains.

0:11:29 > 0:11:30So what are we going to do?

0:11:30 > 0:11:34Nina's dream is a cosy cottage fit for David and his princess, Erica.

0:11:34 > 0:11:37Outside, the wall and sloping roof over the utility room

0:11:37 > 0:11:40will blend right in, thanks to beautiful Welsh slates

0:11:40 > 0:11:43with a copper finish. A hand-crafted slate wall

0:11:43 > 0:11:49and a proper garden will help bring this cottage to life.

0:11:49 > 0:11:52From these breeze block walls will emerge a handy utility room,

0:11:52 > 0:11:57a spacious relaxing lounge, and a classic country-style kitchen.

0:11:59 > 0:12:03- Lady Nina, can I take you upstairs? - You may, with pleasure.- Lucky fella!

0:12:03 > 0:12:07- At my age!- At my age too! - I'm still getting yeses!

0:12:07 > 0:12:11Be careful, there's a bit of a hole. Take my hand.

0:12:13 > 0:12:15- Thank you.- Ta, sweetheart.

0:12:15 > 0:12:18- First of all, this is Chris. - Hello, Chris, how are you?

0:12:18 > 0:12:21- Very pleased to meet you. - Very pleased to meet you.

0:12:21 > 0:12:25- So important to get this open and get more light in.- Yes.

0:12:25 > 0:12:26Cos it's so much more cheerful.

0:12:26 > 0:12:30You get a sort of joyous feeling if you've got, you know,

0:12:30 > 0:12:32outside and light and trees and green and everything.

0:12:32 > 0:12:37- This is Lady Nina.- Hi, I'm Alistair. - Alistair.- Nina Campbell?- Yes, hello.

0:12:37 > 0:12:41- Oh, hello.- I'm Mark, very nice to meet you. Welcome on board!

0:12:41 > 0:12:42Thank you!

0:12:42 > 0:12:46David and Erica have both been sleeping in appalling conditions.

0:12:46 > 0:12:50David on the sofa, and Erica in a cupboard-sized compartment.

0:12:50 > 0:12:53But this place is big enough for bedrooms

0:12:53 > 0:12:56that you could only dream about.

0:12:56 > 0:12:59Nina's insisted on keeping the biggest room for Erica, with

0:12:59 > 0:13:04her own en-suite bathroom to make up for years of sharing with Dad.

0:13:04 > 0:13:07For David, we're creating a comfortable room with a view

0:13:07 > 0:13:09to help him rest and recuperate,

0:13:09 > 0:13:11and a guest bedroom, and a main bathroom,

0:13:11 > 0:13:13and I think we've created the mini-palace

0:13:13 > 0:13:15that David and Erica deserve.

0:13:15 > 0:13:20Will all the doors be the same size? I think that's a bit important.

0:13:20 > 0:13:22That one will be cut down anyway,

0:13:22 > 0:13:25- cos that's going to be a funky little shape.- Right, exactly.- Yeah?

0:13:25 > 0:13:28It's going to be very odd if the doors are different sizes.

0:13:28 > 0:13:32- We like your style, Nina! OK. - I don't think he needs a desk here.

0:13:32 > 0:13:34- He has a desk under the stairs...- Right.

0:13:34 > 0:13:36- And then we just stick a little chair in here.- Lovely.

0:13:36 > 0:13:40So that's fine. I just want a tick, a gold star, for being accommodating!

0:13:40 > 0:13:43Could somebody give me a tape measure?

0:13:43 > 0:13:46I just want to make absolutely sure that this lovely bed

0:13:46 > 0:13:50- that we've got her is going...- What did you want? Two metres?- Definitely,

0:13:50 > 0:13:53cos these beds are really lovely, they're iron beds with twiddles

0:13:53 > 0:13:56- and there's a pair of them. - We'll see what we can do.

0:13:56 > 0:13:58- I understand what you're saying. - For you, anything.

0:13:58 > 0:14:01A Lady she may be, but Nina's no slouch

0:14:01 > 0:14:03when it comes to winning people over.

0:14:03 > 0:14:05I present exhibit A, Billy.

0:14:05 > 0:14:07What's that you said Lady Nina is just colours

0:14:07 > 0:14:10and pretty painting colours and everything?

0:14:10 > 0:14:15- No, I said she was an interior designer.- You said fluffy things, like...- No, I didn't say that!

0:14:15 > 0:14:17I said she was an interior designer,

0:14:17 > 0:14:21but your view of interior designers is that they only do fluffy things.

0:14:21 > 0:14:25- That's your old-fashioned views! - Lady Nina designed all of this!

0:14:25 > 0:14:28Everything. The doors, the size of the doors and everything,

0:14:28 > 0:14:30and she's moved a few things,

0:14:30 > 0:14:33but I thought she weren't going to move things.

0:14:33 > 0:14:36- Taken a bit of a shine, have you? - She's fit, in't she?

0:14:36 > 0:14:39I'm not gong to step on your toes, mate. I'm not going to...

0:14:39 > 0:14:42- You did!- She's not my speed! - I was just getting along nice,

0:14:42 > 0:14:44and he came in and gave her a big wet kiss.

0:14:44 > 0:14:47- He's taken a shine to her. - Well, it's your fault!

0:14:47 > 0:14:49I didn't realise he was...

0:14:49 > 0:14:52Nina, is it all right if I say you look very fit?

0:14:52 > 0:14:56- I'd love you to say I look fit, yes. - See!- Unbelievable! What's going on?

0:14:56 > 0:14:59- What is going on?- It's better than looking unfit, anyway!

0:14:59 > 0:15:02I've got to get him to be professional, you're...

0:15:02 > 0:15:06I just gave her a London cheek-to-cheek kiss, he got upset cos I got close to her!

0:15:06 > 0:15:09How did you get her to ask me difficult questions about buildings?

0:15:09 > 0:15:13You told me to go on paints. I trust you no more, Knowlesy!

0:15:13 > 0:15:15Oh, now I'm getting it in the neck!

0:15:15 > 0:15:17'Lady Nina has cast her spell on the team.

0:15:17 > 0:15:21'Now, if she can weave her magic over the build,

0:15:21 > 0:15:23'this should be plain sailing. What could go wrong?'

0:15:23 > 0:15:26Got about six inches in front.

0:15:26 > 0:15:30- 'Oh, dear! Mr Smiley is going to love this one!'- Go on, Mark!

0:15:30 > 0:15:34Jammed in the hedge, eh? Better keep a very happy face on.

0:15:34 > 0:15:39Where's my happy face? Can I find my happy face? Yes, there it is.

0:15:39 > 0:15:42'Well, the schedules on these jobs are so tight, that even

0:15:42 > 0:15:44'when we get a hold-up, we need to keep going.

0:15:44 > 0:15:47'So we'll have to unload it, where it is.'

0:15:47 > 0:15:51I have an important job holding the door open, so it doesn't slam on anyone's fingers.

0:15:51 > 0:15:54Got to think about health and safety in these jobs!

0:15:54 > 0:15:56Sadly, though, the black clouds roll in,

0:15:56 > 0:16:00and proper Welsh rain is drenching everything.

0:16:00 > 0:16:03Weather's turned nasty! Up here in Wales, you get a bit of rain,

0:16:03 > 0:16:06so you sort of expect it, but we could have done without it today,

0:16:06 > 0:16:09especially as our guys started to render the...

0:16:09 > 0:16:12Preparing to render the outside, and this wood will be

0:16:12 > 0:16:16all soaking water up, getting thick and swelled up.

0:16:16 > 0:16:19And the guys up at the roof working. It's just really unpleasant.

0:16:19 > 0:16:22Mind you, not that it's dampening anybody's spirits.

0:16:22 > 0:16:25Everybody seems to be keeping at it and just piling in.

0:16:25 > 0:16:28People out in the traditional Welsh wet-weather gear - a woolly jumper.

0:16:30 > 0:16:34- Take that, Dan.- I got it, mate!

0:16:34 > 0:16:36Keeps coming down. It's like this here.

0:16:36 > 0:16:38Everyone says, "Well, it is Wales,"

0:16:38 > 0:16:41but the last time we worked in Wales, I went home with a suntan!

0:16:41 > 0:16:44My friend, colleague, and buddy, Julian Perryman,

0:16:44 > 0:16:46is donning a new waterproof jacket.

0:16:46 > 0:16:49Sat in the van there with a nice green colour.

0:16:49 > 0:16:54Erm, we've yet to establish what shade of green it is!

0:16:54 > 0:16:55What is wrong?

0:16:55 > 0:16:59Everybody's taking the mick out of my jacket, but I think it's lovely!

0:16:59 > 0:17:00It's almost...

0:17:00 > 0:17:03It just as well have been pink, than green.

0:17:03 > 0:17:07You know, it's like, a very weak effort at being green.

0:17:07 > 0:17:08It's not green.

0:17:08 > 0:17:09Well, the thing is, I got told

0:17:09 > 0:17:13I was working in the middle of a woodland, in the middle of a forest,

0:17:13 > 0:17:16so I thought, "I'll get colour-coded, I'll buy a green jacket."

0:17:16 > 0:17:19I'll hold you on that, right? There's a forest, right,

0:17:19 > 0:17:24and where do you see a shade of green like that amongst the forest?

0:17:24 > 0:17:28Well, look, I'll tell you what, I'll stand over here and you won't see me!

0:17:28 > 0:17:32- MARK:- Anybody see Jules?- Remarkable! Julian has vanished into the trees.

0:17:32 > 0:17:34No more will the green cagoule be mocked!

0:17:34 > 0:17:41This heavy rain isn't letting up, which is a problem for everyone, but especially the boys outside.

0:17:41 > 0:17:45Our landscapers have had to down tools.

0:17:45 > 0:17:48Well, what we're going to do, we're just going to carry on

0:17:48 > 0:17:50prepping the wood, ready for these raised beds.

0:17:50 > 0:17:52Tomorrow, we've got all the slate coming in,

0:17:52 > 0:17:55so we'll crack on getting some flooring placed down.

0:17:55 > 0:17:59- How much of that have you got? - 40 tonnes coming in.- 40 tonnes?! - 40 tonnes, tomorrow.

0:17:59 > 0:18:02Where are we going to put 40 tonnes of decking and slate?

0:18:02 > 0:18:05- All hands on deck! - Oh, my God!- It's a morning's work!

0:18:05 > 0:18:08- Erm, any walls going up? - Yeah, we've got a slate wall

0:18:08 > 0:18:12going on the front, slate retaining wall splitting the drive from the garden itself.

0:18:12 > 0:18:16- How much slate?- 20 tonnes of slate. Happy days!

0:18:16 > 0:18:1960 tonnes of assorted slate turning up.

0:18:19 > 0:18:22That's absolutely fantastic!

0:18:22 > 0:18:27- And it's raining like no-one's business!- You're getting wet there!

0:18:27 > 0:18:32It's just, like, so wet. It's ridiculous.

0:18:32 > 0:18:33THEY LAUGH

0:18:33 > 0:18:38Wet builders are one thing, but wet render is no joke.

0:18:38 > 0:18:40My boys have had to call it a day.

0:18:40 > 0:18:44They've put on the block work, put adhesive on, pushed the mesh in,

0:18:44 > 0:18:46but it's just too wet.

0:18:46 > 0:18:49It's been on an hour and a half. It's just not pulling in.

0:18:49 > 0:18:53Hopefully, we'll have a better day tomorrow.

0:18:53 > 0:18:56The infamous Welsh rain is saturating the site,

0:18:56 > 0:19:00bringing work to a grinding halt. Our only real option now is to get everything covered up,

0:19:00 > 0:19:03head for home, and hope this doesn't last for days.

0:19:03 > 0:19:06THUNDER RUMBLES

0:19:09 > 0:19:14Look at that! What a result! Day three, and what a day!

0:19:14 > 0:19:17You can feel the transformation right across the site.

0:19:17 > 0:19:21Of course, you can always rely on some people to overdo it.

0:19:21 > 0:19:25HE MIMES SINGING # This is my world today

0:19:25 > 0:19:30# My world you're living in every day

0:19:30 > 0:19:34# And this is my world today

0:19:34 > 0:19:37- # And I couldn't have it... # - It's buzzing along, isn't it?

0:19:37 > 0:19:40Nina is using local slate and copper

0:19:40 > 0:19:43to give the front a truly Welsh look, which should be amazing.

0:19:43 > 0:19:46But working with slate isn't easy. You need an expert.

0:19:48 > 0:19:53John, this is absolutely gorgeous, I love it! What's happening up here?

0:19:53 > 0:19:56- What are you doing up here?- We think we might finish that bit off

0:19:56 > 0:19:59with one of our trademark Welsh dragons. We make lead Welsh dragons

0:19:59 > 0:20:02and put them somewhere on every job that we do.

0:20:02 > 0:20:06- We really like putting them on ones in England!- Bet you do!

0:20:06 > 0:20:08The rest of the outside will be rendered

0:20:08 > 0:20:11using a special water-soluble mix to keep the rain out,

0:20:11 > 0:20:15which is particularly important living out here.

0:20:15 > 0:20:19- So why are you here?- My wife volunteered me!- Is that right?

0:20:19 > 0:20:20But it's for a good cause!

0:20:20 > 0:20:24It's an honour and a pleasure to work for you,

0:20:24 > 0:20:27- to do this for other people. - That's really nice of you, mate,

0:20:27 > 0:20:31but you're not working for us, we're working with you, and that's what makes it special.

0:20:31 > 0:20:36Such a sad state of affairs, that a young girl like that loses her mum.

0:20:37 > 0:20:40What you're going to do here is create a house

0:20:40 > 0:20:43where she's going to be able to have some extraordinary memories

0:20:43 > 0:20:44- with her dad.- Exactly.

0:20:45 > 0:20:47You know, it never fails to amaze me,

0:20:47 > 0:20:50given the current economic climate,

0:20:50 > 0:20:54that people who are working for themselves can give up the time

0:20:54 > 0:20:56to come and make a difference for others.

0:20:56 > 0:21:00'And this will make such a huge difference to the family.

0:21:00 > 0:21:03'There's a member of the family that we haven't introduced you to yet.

0:21:03 > 0:21:07'A member that needs their own little bit of special care and attention.'

0:21:07 > 0:21:11- Come on, up the steps! - Come on, you! This way!

0:21:11 > 0:21:13'It's Erica's dog, Charlie, a constant companion

0:21:13 > 0:21:16'and invaluable friend since Mum died.'

0:21:16 > 0:21:18He's never been fond of washing,

0:21:18 > 0:21:21but caravan life means he's got even scruffier than usual.

0:21:23 > 0:21:26The local grooming parlour have offered him a makeover,

0:21:26 > 0:21:28and a B-A-T-H.

0:21:28 > 0:21:31- Come on, doggie!- He doesn't look nervous, does he?

0:21:31 > 0:21:35- Mind you, he doesn't know what's going to happen next, does he?- No. Come on, in you go!

0:21:35 > 0:21:39- Hello!- DOG GROOMER:- Hello! How are you?- Very good.- Good!

0:21:39 > 0:21:40Charlie, say hello!

0:21:40 > 0:21:44- Important information you might need to know...- He hates water!

0:21:44 > 0:21:46He will try and escape.

0:21:46 > 0:21:49See you later, Charlie! Come on, let's go

0:21:49 > 0:21:52and get a milkshake or a bun or something, shall we?

0:21:55 > 0:21:58- So how long have you known each other?- Erm...

0:21:58 > 0:22:01- Since you were born, I think.- Yeah.- Yeah!

0:22:01 > 0:22:04My little girl is six months younger than Erica,

0:22:04 > 0:22:08- so they've been in school together ever since, haven't you?- Yep!

0:22:08 > 0:22:10Do you ever talk about your mum with Emma?

0:22:10 > 0:22:13Cos, obviously, they were friends.

0:22:13 > 0:22:16- Or do you not talk about your mum very much?- Sometimes, but not much.

0:22:16 > 0:22:21- Not much.- My mum died about 12 months before Erica's mum,

0:22:21 > 0:22:23so when you came to stay with us, it was quite nice,

0:22:23 > 0:22:27cos we had little chats, didn't we, about our mums.

0:22:27 > 0:22:31And we decided they were sitting up there together, having a chat, didn't we?

0:22:31 > 0:22:35So you've ended up sort of joining in and helping out a bit really?

0:22:35 > 0:22:38When David had to go into hospital for an operation

0:22:38 > 0:22:41and some of his treatment, Erica comes to stay with us.

0:22:41 > 0:22:44And tell me about Charlie, cos he's a little special friend.

0:22:44 > 0:22:48- Mm-hmm.- Why do you think you and Charlie are such good friends?

0:22:48 > 0:22:50Mm, he's always been there.

0:22:50 > 0:22:54- So it's like somebody who, like, you can rely on, Charlie?- Yeah.

0:22:54 > 0:22:56You think Charlie misses your mum a lot?

0:22:56 > 0:23:01- Yep.- And you think he's worried about the future?- Yeah, he probably is.

0:23:01 > 0:23:05- So am I, though.- Are you?- Yep. - And what are you worried about?

0:23:05 > 0:23:09Well, Mum was in hospital and we lost Mum, and Dad's in hospital,

0:23:09 > 0:23:12so we might end up losing him.

0:23:12 > 0:23:16- But he's fighting against his illness, isn't he?- Yep.

0:23:16 > 0:23:19And you've got loads of friends helping to make things better.

0:23:19 > 0:23:23- Yep.- How important has it been for you that Emma

0:23:23 > 0:23:26and Emma's family have been around?

0:23:26 > 0:23:28Very important.

0:23:29 > 0:23:32Do you think doing up the house is going to make things

0:23:32 > 0:23:34better for you and your dad?

0:23:34 > 0:23:37- Yeah.- How is it going to help, do you think?

0:23:37 > 0:23:40Well, a house is warmer and there's more space,

0:23:40 > 0:23:42and that might make Dad feel better.

0:23:42 > 0:23:45And when he feels better, he'll be happier, and hopefully,

0:23:45 > 0:23:48when he's happier he'll get better quicker.

0:23:49 > 0:23:52'Finishing the house will give Erica security.

0:23:52 > 0:23:55'Whatever happens to David over the next few years,

0:23:55 > 0:23:57'the house will be hers.'

0:23:58 > 0:24:02Thank you! Did he end up bathing you or did he get himself bathed?

0:24:02 > 0:24:04He did a bit, yeah. My sleeves are a bit wet!

0:24:04 > 0:24:08- EMMA:- He's a different colour! - And his fur's shiny for once!

0:24:08 > 0:24:13- What do you think then? Marks out of ten?- Ten.- Ten?- Thanks very much!

0:24:13 > 0:24:17- EMMA:- Thanks a lot! - Thank you.- Thank you!- -OK!

0:24:20 > 0:24:23Back on site, the first 20 tonnes of slate is here.

0:24:24 > 0:24:28The landscapers are busy building flower beds and sandcastles,

0:24:28 > 0:24:32the floors are going down, plasterers are plastering both

0:24:32 > 0:24:37inside and outside, and upstairs, Nina is fretting about walls.

0:24:37 > 0:24:40The bed is two metres long, and I just think it's too snug.

0:24:40 > 0:24:42And I'm just asking very nicely and seductively

0:24:42 > 0:24:45if this wall could just come over 50mm.

0:24:45 > 0:24:48Absolutely. I haven't seen your seductive asking.

0:24:48 > 0:24:51- Would you like to give us a preview? - No, you've had it! I've seducted.

0:24:51 > 0:24:53- Yes. Quite enough.- Have you?

0:24:53 > 0:24:56You're all seducted out for the moment, are you?

0:24:56 > 0:24:59- Yes, I'm seducted out!- OK! - So David's room is excellent.

0:24:59 > 0:25:02- All right, gentlemen?- Not bad! How are you?- Very good, yes, thank you.

0:25:02 > 0:25:04- So, we've got his bed here.- Yes.

0:25:04 > 0:25:08Cupboard going where that gentleman's standing, and then he's got a chair.

0:25:08 > 0:25:12We're not giving him a desk, to give him space. He feels to me like a free-spirit.

0:25:12 > 0:25:15I think he'll much prefer having room to move around in.

0:25:15 > 0:25:19- What do you make of these skinny jeans the kids wear? - They're fantastic!

0:25:19 > 0:25:23- I remember when my legs were skinny! - Do you remember putting them on and sitting in the bath

0:25:23 > 0:25:26- to make them shrink?- Is that what you did?- Yeah.- With skinny jeans?

0:25:26 > 0:25:28Well, with jeans.

0:25:28 > 0:25:30You bought them and then they shrank in the bath to you,

0:25:30 > 0:25:33and you got out and I got pneumonia, probably!

0:25:33 > 0:25:35I can't remember! Who cared!

0:25:35 > 0:25:38- Is that what you do with your jeans, mate?- You see, we were young once!

0:25:38 > 0:25:43- No, just get them as big as I can to get them round me, like.- Yes.- Yes!

0:25:46 > 0:25:49Dad, David, is currently in remission from his cancer,

0:25:49 > 0:25:52but he's been severely affected by the chemotherapy,

0:25:52 > 0:25:55and won't be able to work until he gets his strength back.

0:25:55 > 0:26:00I can't go that fast. I'll catch up later on.

0:26:00 > 0:26:03I see my future, you know,

0:26:03 > 0:26:09the goal for me is rearing Erica to the best of my ability.

0:26:09 > 0:26:11That's my challenge at the moment.

0:26:14 > 0:26:18The house is going to make a massive difference to Erica.

0:26:18 > 0:26:21She's developing socially and she goes to sleepovers

0:26:21 > 0:26:24with her little friends and so forth,

0:26:24 > 0:26:27and she's always saying, "Oh, they could come back to mine."

0:26:27 > 0:26:31So it would make a huge difference to Erica's life in general.

0:26:31 > 0:26:35Fingers crossed that I'll actually get a good future.

0:26:35 > 0:26:40Not living in another caravan at the end of this.

0:26:40 > 0:26:45And I grow up and get a good job, and live in a fantastic place.

0:26:45 > 0:26:48David's determination to provide for his daughter

0:26:48 > 0:26:51is obviously his driving force.

0:26:51 > 0:26:54It's no surprise really that so many local trades have turned up to help,

0:26:54 > 0:26:55including these two.

0:26:55 > 0:26:59The solar panels they're installing will not only power the home,

0:26:59 > 0:27:01but also provide a bit of income. Very handy.

0:27:01 > 0:27:05- Well, it's a fair old run of photovoltaic, isn't it?- Yeah!

0:27:05 > 0:27:08But it's a small system, we've put it on for them now,

0:27:08 > 0:27:11so, overall, per annum, he'd be looking at a £500-600 saving

0:27:11 > 0:27:14- on his bills over 25 years. - Is that right?- That's right.

0:27:14 > 0:27:20Whatever they generate, they use first. Anything they don't use exports automatically.

0:27:20 > 0:27:22And it's like all untoward here, isn't it?

0:27:22 > 0:27:25You can't actually see it so much from the surrounding trees.

0:27:25 > 0:27:29The south-facing area there, we spoke to Mark, he's going to trim them.

0:27:29 > 0:27:32Just get more sunshine in and make sure it doesn't overgrow.

0:27:32 > 0:27:35In the winter, the sun's a lot lower. 20%, er, 20 degrees lower.

0:27:35 > 0:27:37And don't take this the wrong way on behalf of Wales,

0:27:37 > 0:27:40but is there enough sunshine here to make it work?

0:27:40 > 0:27:42- Should be OK, yeah! - It rains a bit, doesn't it?

0:27:42 > 0:27:45Shame it don't work on rain, really! That'd be quids in then!

0:27:45 > 0:27:48To make sure these work to the maximum effect

0:27:48 > 0:27:50and get as much money for the family as they can,

0:27:50 > 0:27:53we're going to carefully trim the local trees.

0:27:53 > 0:27:57- I've put the mad Irishman in charge. - Oh, man alive!

0:27:57 > 0:28:00I turned up this morning, met the tree-fellers, and was like, "Great!

0:28:00 > 0:28:03"We've trimmed a few trees at the back, but we'd like to create

0:28:03 > 0:28:05"a little window to give a view out,

0:28:05 > 0:28:08"let some light into the property," and all that carry on.

0:28:08 > 0:28:10I said, "I'll be back in five minutes,"

0:28:10 > 0:28:13so I come down the stairs and it's all gone!

0:28:13 > 0:28:16You've got to manage the wood. It's all got to be managed

0:28:16 > 0:28:19so that the healthy trees get a bit of a chance to grow and grow strong.

0:28:19 > 0:28:23A lot of this stuff was dying in there cos there was no light coming in to it.

0:28:23 > 0:28:25It's rather exciting to see this!

0:28:25 > 0:28:28- CHAINSAW WHIRRS - Wow!

0:28:28 > 0:28:31Tell you what, I was glad I didn't leave them for too long!

0:28:31 > 0:28:34- Yeah.- This brilliant view! We've got a bit of light coming back

0:28:34 > 0:28:36into the property, and it's all sorted.

0:28:36 > 0:28:39We've got all your vegetable beds and stuff.

0:28:39 > 0:28:42Yeah, that's true. I think I need to take the rest of all of this.

0:28:42 > 0:28:46Oh, my God! What do you think this stuff is?

0:28:46 > 0:28:48Good job they're not barbers, innit?

0:28:48 > 0:28:51- Well, you look as if you went there last night!- Do I?

0:28:51 > 0:28:55- That wasn't very nice, Nina!- No, I mean, you're quite, you know, trim.

0:28:55 > 0:28:57So things grow tall if you get plenty of light on 'em?

0:28:57 > 0:29:00- He must have been brought up in a cellar!- What a job, eh?

0:29:00 > 0:29:03I really want to do it, so much! I've always wanted...

0:29:03 > 0:29:07That's the job I always wanted. I always wanted to be a tree-feller.

0:29:07 > 0:29:09- CHAINSAW WHIRRS - Never mind about tree-fellers!

0:29:09 > 0:29:12It's a very important day for that fella, Chris.

0:29:12 > 0:29:16- How are you, mate?- Yeah, very good, thank you, but I heard you're about to make a phone call?

0:29:16 > 0:29:20- Well, I am, cos 11 years ago today... - You missed one of these shoots!

0:29:20 > 0:29:24- Yeah.- I remember that. I've not quite forgiven you for that to be honest!

0:29:24 > 0:29:27Well, it was the birth of my first daughter, Elizabeth.

0:29:27 > 0:29:30- Today?!- Today, 11 years ago, Elizabeth was born.

0:29:33 > 0:29:35PHONE RINGTONE PLAYS

0:29:35 > 0:29:37- Hello, Nick Knowles. - BABY CRIES THROUGH PHONE

0:29:37 > 0:29:41- 'Hello, Nick Knowles!' - Ah, it's you!- How's it going?

0:29:41 > 0:29:44- I can hear a baby in the background! - BABY CRIES It's my daughter.

0:29:44 > 0:29:46My daughter, Elizabeth May.

0:29:46 > 0:29:48Listen, listen, listen, listen.

0:29:48 > 0:29:51- BABY SCREAMS - 'Crying like a good 'un.'- 'Yeah.'

0:29:51 > 0:29:54- 'So, just like her dad!' - THEY LAUGH

0:29:54 > 0:29:58'Oh, he's aged a bit, hasn't he? And me! How come he hasn't?'

0:29:58 > 0:30:02'Ello, darling! You know we wished you a happy birthday this morning?

0:30:02 > 0:30:05Yeah, well I'm just having a cup of tea with Nick and the boys,

0:30:05 > 0:30:07and we just want to sing you a little song.

0:30:07 > 0:30:09All right, so are you ready for this?

0:30:09 > 0:30:13ALL: # Happy birthday to you

0:30:13 > 0:30:17# Happy birthday to you

0:30:17 > 0:30:21# Happy birthday, dear Elizabeth!

0:30:21 > 0:30:27# Happy birthday to you-u-u!

0:30:27 > 0:30:30APPLAUSE Hip-hip-hooray!

0:30:30 > 0:30:32Happy birthday, darling!

0:30:32 > 0:30:35Did you like that? "Thank you," she's crying.

0:30:35 > 0:30:37ALL: Aww!

0:30:38 > 0:30:42Now, our designer Nina may be used to working with A-list clients,

0:30:42 > 0:30:44royals and superstars,

0:30:44 > 0:30:49but this little client has a few ideas of her own about what she wants.

0:30:49 > 0:30:52You're jolly kind to let me come and help you do your house,

0:30:52 > 0:30:55- but I think you have a plan for me? - Yes.

0:30:55 > 0:30:57This is very good.

0:30:57 > 0:31:00- Do you want to be an interior designer when you grow up?- Maybe.

0:31:00 > 0:31:04Now, Dad's room, that's very important - he's having a wardrobe to put his clothes.

0:31:04 > 0:31:06He's having a bed.

0:31:06 > 0:31:07And what does this say here?

0:31:07 > 0:31:10Oh, dark green rug. OK.

0:31:10 > 0:31:14What colours are you going to want in your bedroom and bathroom?

0:31:14 > 0:31:16Well, I did the wall...

0:31:16 > 0:31:19Oh, the wall's the light blue, that's very nice.

0:31:19 > 0:31:21What would you like in your room?

0:31:21 > 0:31:25Well, perhaps some sort of welding device here.

0:31:25 > 0:31:27Maybe an old tractor here.

0:31:27 > 0:31:31A bit of dilapidated construction machinery here, partially renovated...

0:31:31 > 0:31:34Dad, that's not even your bedroom! That's the kitchen.

0:31:34 > 0:31:37I know why Erica didn't ask you what you want in your bedroom.

0:31:37 > 0:31:42While Nina studies Erica's plans, the boys have come down to say a quick hello.

0:31:42 > 0:31:44Erica.

0:31:44 > 0:31:46Nice to meet you.

0:31:46 > 0:31:48< He's silly, isn't he!

0:31:48 > 0:31:51You were saying it was minus 17 in your caravan.

0:31:51 > 0:31:55- Last winter, yeah.- How did you keep warm? Did you not have a heater?

0:31:55 > 0:32:00- We didn't keep warm, we kept cold. - You wrap yourself up in newspaper?

0:32:00 > 0:32:05No, we had a heater. But the faster you pump the heat in, it comes out through the windows.

0:32:05 > 0:32:08How did you manage to keep your spirits up for your dad?

0:32:09 > 0:32:12That smile, that's the smile that keeps you going!

0:32:12 > 0:32:16Hopefully, what we're doing for you will get you there

0:32:16 > 0:32:18and get you much better, quicker.

0:32:18 > 0:32:20Yeah, sure it will. Thanks very much.

0:32:20 > 0:32:22And you, as well.

0:32:22 > 0:32:25- You'll bring all your mates home, will you?- Yeah.

0:32:27 > 0:32:31The school Erica and her friends attend is at the heart of the community.

0:32:35 > 0:32:38We are a small country school, really,

0:32:38 > 0:32:40just 57 pupils,

0:32:40 > 0:32:44and all the parents are very, very supportive of the school.

0:32:44 > 0:32:46And if we have anything going on at the school,

0:32:46 > 0:32:49everybody is very willing to help as well, which is great.

0:32:52 > 0:32:56Erica's very popular, she's quite a confident little girl as well,

0:32:56 > 0:33:00very bright. And she gets on with all the children in the class.

0:33:00 > 0:33:02For her, I think one of the main things is,

0:33:02 > 0:33:07at the moment, she's unable to bring friends back home after school.

0:33:07 > 0:33:11And when the house is finished, it's going to make a huge difference for Erica.

0:33:11 > 0:33:15She will then be able to have sleepovers with a friend,

0:33:15 > 0:33:18and for a child that age, it's very important.

0:33:20 > 0:33:24'Thank goodness we've got so much help, then!

0:33:24 > 0:33:26'It's busy, and everyone's doing what they can.'

0:33:26 > 0:33:30- Is this today's delivery? - It is.- What have we got today?

0:33:30 > 0:33:33- Carrot muffins today. - Thank you very much!

0:33:35 > 0:33:38'Now, no-one loves a cake more than our Jaws.

0:33:38 > 0:33:42'But I've got another little treat lined up for him.'

0:33:42 > 0:33:45What's your favourite thing, not including cake now,

0:33:45 > 0:33:49but in terms of, what sort of shows do you go to see?

0:33:49 > 0:33:50Tractors.

0:33:51 > 0:33:53How much do you like tractors?

0:33:53 > 0:33:55A lot!

0:33:55 > 0:34:00- Alistair's wife is one of the foremost tractor writers in the country.- Is she?!

0:34:00 > 0:34:03- She writes for Tractor... - Tractor Magazine.

0:34:03 > 0:34:06- Oh, I've seen that! Tractor Magazine. - And she's got a tractor.

0:34:06 > 0:34:09She's got a David Brown 25 petrol,

0:34:09 > 0:34:12and she's got a Massey 35, four-cylinder.

0:34:12 > 0:34:17- 35, yeah, we used to have a 35.- So when did you meet the missus, then?

0:34:17 > 0:34:20We met at the show, which is this time of the year,

0:34:20 > 0:34:25and I saw her tractor, and I said, "That's a tidy tractor!"

0:34:25 > 0:34:28And he said, "You should see the driver!" I said, "Is it a girl?"

0:34:28 > 0:34:29And he said "Yes!"

0:34:29 > 0:34:32And I said, "I'll have to meet her!" And that's how we met. So...

0:34:32 > 0:34:34THEY LAUGH

0:34:35 > 0:34:37Sorry!

0:34:39 > 0:34:42Well, it's an everyday story, really, boy meets tractor!

0:34:42 > 0:34:44THEY LAUGH

0:34:45 > 0:34:46Mate...

0:34:46 > 0:34:48It's a lovely story.

0:34:48 > 0:34:51We've got two children now, and...

0:34:51 > 0:34:53Are they called Massey and Ferguson?

0:34:56 > 0:35:01We're halfway through the job, and up at the house we have another massive turnout.

0:35:01 > 0:35:0370 people on day five is a record

0:35:03 > 0:35:09and because of the amazing local support, we're rocketing through the work.

0:35:09 > 0:35:13Down there the kitchen's going in. It's going in so fast you'll miss it.

0:35:13 > 0:35:17Our country-style kitchen will be a big change from the tiny kitchen space

0:35:17 > 0:35:21David and Erica have had to use for the last five years.

0:35:21 > 0:35:24And continuing our local theme,

0:35:24 > 0:35:28we have a lovely limestone floor going into the utility room.

0:35:28 > 0:35:32- What do you think of the limestone? - Will you get through that today?

0:35:32 > 0:35:37- We have to get it done today. Have you got any more pencils with you? - Loads.- Or pens or anything.

0:35:37 > 0:35:39- And I will lose them all.- Oh, dear.

0:35:39 > 0:35:43Look, there's another one in your pocket.

0:35:43 > 0:35:46The landscapers are performing miracles

0:35:46 > 0:35:50and the slate them is continuing with a beautiful slate wall.

0:35:50 > 0:35:55Basically we're just going to put a wall from the post here, nice decorative wall,

0:35:55 > 0:35:58- leave a gateway here leading to the front of the house.- Yeah.

0:35:58 > 0:36:02And I'm trying to get into the far side of the bank there.

0:36:02 > 0:36:07It's perfect slate. There are good size stones there for the footings to make the wall strong.

0:36:07 > 0:36:09Perfect, good start.

0:36:09 > 0:36:12A beautiful wall for a beautiful site.

0:36:12 > 0:36:16This place has beautiful views, but you can't see them for the trees.

0:36:16 > 0:36:19Here, we're going to fell that middle sycamore

0:36:19 > 0:36:22to create a window to see this lovely valley down there

0:36:22 > 0:36:24and all the colours across there.

0:36:24 > 0:36:27So, instead of being close in, there's a little window to the world.

0:36:32 > 0:36:34That's what we wanted to see.

0:36:34 > 0:36:38Window to the world. That's absolutely beautiful.

0:36:38 > 0:36:44Due to our rain delays, the render for the outside walls is only just getting its final layer.

0:36:44 > 0:36:47All these hold-ups mean other jobs are being pushed back.

0:36:47 > 0:36:51Critical jobs, like working drains.

0:36:51 > 0:36:55- You've got this trench to go through here.- Yeah, 600, going through.

0:36:55 > 0:36:56- That's 600 deep?- Yeah.

0:36:56 > 0:36:59- All the way down... - All the way down, yeah.

0:36:59 > 0:37:02We just need to get at least over halfway down,

0:37:02 > 0:37:05to pick up the soil stacks, to give us a chance tomorrow.

0:37:05 > 0:37:08We know we're in a position now. We couldn't get this done quicker.

0:37:08 > 0:37:11We've worked through the house, you haven't stopped, you guys,

0:37:11 > 0:37:16but scaffolding's down, roof's almost finished, they're still doing bits and pieces.

0:37:16 > 0:37:19But we've got to get this all in or this house doesn't work.

0:37:19 > 0:37:24Come rain, wind or shine, our new friends, these guys working on site,

0:37:24 > 0:37:27will not be put off their goal -

0:37:27 > 0:37:29a new home for David and Erica.

0:37:29 > 0:37:32But then community spirit could have been invented

0:37:32 > 0:37:35in Welsh villages. Look around.

0:37:35 > 0:37:40You'll find no better example of pulling together when it's needed.

0:37:40 > 0:37:44How big a support has Emma been during that time?

0:37:44 > 0:37:49Oh, fantastic. Emma was Gemma's friend. That's a tongue-twister!

0:37:49 > 0:37:51And she used to take Gemma out for a coffee

0:37:51 > 0:37:53and really take her mind off it.

0:37:53 > 0:37:58Then, since Gemma's been gone, she's been fantastic with Erica.

0:37:58 > 0:38:01Couldn't have managed without her, really, she's been huge.

0:38:01 > 0:38:04That's why Erica's so happy. She's had such good support.

0:38:04 > 0:38:08We're really lucky cos it's a fantastic community.

0:38:08 > 0:38:12So, although David's thanking me for it, I had lots of support as well.

0:38:12 > 0:38:16Other parents in the school as well have been great.

0:38:16 > 0:38:20Everyone just mucks in, you know, it's a great place to live,

0:38:20 > 0:38:24and Erica's easy, she just gets on with things, you know.

0:38:29 > 0:38:33We've hit a rock-hard problem - granite.

0:38:33 > 0:38:36We need to get this trench dug by tomorrow,

0:38:36 > 0:38:39but it looks like it's going to be a long night.

0:38:41 > 0:38:44Get the pipe up, get to that, then go down the side there.

0:38:44 > 0:38:48We already have a drain to tap into. We just follow it down the ramp.

0:38:48 > 0:38:50Then you'll have working toilets.

0:38:50 > 0:38:54- Is he telling me the truth?- He is. - Is he?- Yeah.

0:38:54 > 0:38:57- No panic. - LAUGHING

0:38:57 > 0:38:59Only panic when you see me panic.

0:39:00 > 0:39:05We only have two days left now, and there's still so much left to do.

0:39:05 > 0:39:08To make matters worse, it's raining again.

0:39:10 > 0:39:15It's a bright morning in North Wales, but last night's weather has done some damage,

0:39:15 > 0:39:17to our outside render.

0:39:17 > 0:39:21It's slow drying, and the heavy rain has stripped it from the wall.

0:39:21 > 0:39:24- That won't patch in, will it?- No. - Look at the water in that.

0:39:24 > 0:39:27- That's blown all the way down. - It's got right in behind it.

0:39:27 > 0:39:32It's a big problem, but we've got the best building talent around to sort it out for us.

0:39:32 > 0:39:34Like Super Al.

0:39:34 > 0:39:37- Here he is. Morning, Al. You all right?- Morning.

0:39:37 > 0:39:42- Had your tea?- Yes, very much. - Tea's your food.- Oh, definitely.

0:39:42 > 0:39:45Is that something you can do - patch them up?

0:39:45 > 0:39:46Not a problem.

0:39:46 > 0:39:49Nothing's a problem for Al. Not a problem.

0:39:49 > 0:39:53I'll just make sure you're constantly fed with tea.

0:39:53 > 0:39:55How do you like it? Milk? Sugar?

0:39:55 > 0:39:56No, black.

0:39:56 > 0:39:59One sugar and leave the teabag in.

0:40:01 > 0:40:05Works for you, mate. I'll go and make one. Thank you, Alan.

0:40:07 > 0:40:11So, while Super Al sets to work saving our skins,

0:40:11 > 0:40:15the digging seems to have stopped behind the house.

0:40:15 > 0:40:17Is that good news or bad news?

0:40:17 > 0:40:20Taff, are you happy?

0:40:20 > 0:40:21Happy.

0:40:21 > 0:40:24They should be able to flush the toilets.

0:40:24 > 0:40:26- Flushing toilets!- How's that?

0:40:26 > 0:40:28God!

0:40:28 > 0:40:32Alan, tea, one sugar, no milk,

0:40:32 > 0:40:34teabag left in.

0:40:34 > 0:40:36That's it. Perfect.

0:40:36 > 0:40:39That's breakfast with a... with a pinch.

0:40:39 > 0:40:41Enjoy. Thanks, Alan.

0:40:41 > 0:40:43Cheers.

0:40:43 > 0:40:46Whatever makes you day. Problem solved.

0:40:46 > 0:40:49Which leaves time for this.

0:40:49 > 0:40:51Look at his little face.

0:40:51 > 0:40:53- Hello.- Hiya.- How are you?

0:40:53 > 0:40:56- Fine, thank you.- How are you doing? - All right.

0:40:56 > 0:40:58- Nice to meet you.- Hello.- All right?

0:41:00 > 0:41:04Are you aware that your other half took a fancy to your tractor

0:41:04 > 0:41:06before he saw you?

0:41:06 > 0:41:10Probably quite excited to meet someone to talk about tractors with

0:41:10 > 0:41:12cos most women hate tractors.

0:41:18 > 0:41:21He looks right on it, doesn't he?

0:41:21 > 0:41:22Yeah, he looks a proper farmer.

0:41:22 > 0:41:25- He does.- You've made his day with that.

0:41:25 > 0:41:28- Aw!- Made his year, honestly.

0:41:28 > 0:41:29Thank you.

0:41:29 > 0:41:31Look at that!

0:41:31 > 0:41:34That's one happy Devonian.

0:41:36 > 0:41:40And the mood is infectious. On site, everyone is smiling.

0:41:40 > 0:41:45Super Al has fixed the render and the cottage is getting its final touches.

0:41:50 > 0:41:52Yeah, that's perfect.

0:41:52 > 0:41:55Yeah, it went perfect.

0:41:55 > 0:41:57Quit while you're ahead.

0:41:57 > 0:42:01- Quick!- Could you possibly put that blue chair that end for the moment?

0:42:01 > 0:42:04- 'See if you can get away fast enough!'- How are you?

0:42:04 > 0:42:07This has blown away. I'm just blown away like this.

0:42:07 > 0:42:11- I've never seen anything so beautiful.- And the slate and copper? - It's amazing.

0:42:11 > 0:42:15It sits into the trees and the countryside perfectly.

0:42:15 > 0:42:19I just watched this. I wanted to cry when I watched this being done.

0:42:19 > 0:42:22- And having the workforce there?- The workforce is amazing.

0:42:22 > 0:42:24- I want to take them all to London in a bus. - HE CHUCKLES

0:42:24 > 0:42:26A totally different house.

0:42:28 > 0:42:32- I'm ready to move in. - I wouldn't mind living here, would you?- No, fantastic.

0:42:32 > 0:42:36'Just as our thoughts turn towards cleaning and polishing,

0:42:36 > 0:42:39'there's a knock at the door and women bearing gifts.'

0:42:39 > 0:42:44'There's so much generosity in this village it bodes well for Erica's future.'

0:42:44 > 0:42:48- Thank you. You've bought a whole load of groceries.- Oh, yes.

0:42:48 > 0:42:51- That's very kind of you. - Anything to help.- Thank you very much. Little helpers there.

0:42:51 > 0:42:53- Yeah.- Hello.

0:42:53 > 0:42:55LAUGHTER

0:42:55 > 0:42:59It's nice. People bringing up groceries, so they move into their house with groceries.

0:42:59 > 0:43:01Come and look at this.

0:43:01 > 0:43:05Chris here came in before we arrived to do the fixed plumbing.

0:43:05 > 0:43:08He was here two days before we were, working on his own, and then,

0:43:08 > 0:43:11I just said to him... We found this old Belfast sink.

0:43:11 > 0:43:15I said, "Wouldn't it be nice if we could get this in here,

0:43:15 > 0:43:18so that when she comes home with the dog having been out for a run,

0:43:18 > 0:43:19she can wash the dog."

0:43:19 > 0:43:23He said, "I can fix up a tap." So just done that.

0:43:23 > 0:43:25Look at that.

0:43:27 > 0:43:32- Beautiful. Thank you very much for that, mate, and everything else you've done.- No problem.

0:43:32 > 0:43:36'While Nina finesses the interior in the way only she can,

0:43:36 > 0:43:39'family friend Emma is having a quick peek outside.'

0:43:39 > 0:43:42Decking, lawns, flowers.

0:43:42 > 0:43:44'Emma has been a rock for David and Erica

0:43:44 > 0:43:47'and she's been desperate to see their home finally finished.'

0:43:47 > 0:43:52I can't believe it's the same house. It's just amazing.

0:43:53 > 0:43:55Really amazing.

0:43:55 > 0:43:57I can't wait for tomorrow,

0:43:57 > 0:44:00- to see her face and David's face. - You seem quite emotional.

0:44:00 > 0:44:02I think because you've been so close to them.

0:44:02 > 0:44:06Oh, you know, just the state of the place before.

0:44:06 > 0:44:10They were just living in that awful caravan.

0:44:10 > 0:44:14I mean, they'll turn up tomorrow and see this - they won't believe it.

0:44:15 > 0:44:17'Only nine days ago,

0:44:17 > 0:44:21'David and Erica Williams lived in a caravan that was unfit for purpose

0:44:21 > 0:44:25'opposite the shell of what was once going to be their family home.'

0:44:25 > 0:44:27It started off all happy.

0:44:27 > 0:44:31Mum and Dad wanted to build a house and wanted to give me everything she'd never had.

0:44:32 > 0:44:36'But, with mum's death and dad's illness, their lives were put on hold.'

0:44:40 > 0:44:44I didn't have any answers as to what the next step was.

0:44:45 > 0:44:48'But in just nine days, designer Nina, our boys

0:44:48 > 0:44:52'and, most importantly, the wonderful Welsh community

0:44:52 > 0:44:56'have performed an unbelievably immense transformation.'

0:44:56 > 0:45:01'Turning a shell into this stunning three-bedroom home.'

0:45:05 > 0:45:11'And set behind this magnificent slate wall is the newly landscaped garden.'

0:45:12 > 0:45:18'Raised low-maintenance beds and pine decking with a view across the valley.'

0:45:20 > 0:45:24'It's now an inviting place for Erica and her friends to play,

0:45:24 > 0:45:26'with Astroturf and a trampoline.'

0:45:29 > 0:45:32'And to make the most of this glorious Welsh weather,

0:45:32 > 0:45:36'we've installed six photovoltaic solar panels.'

0:45:36 > 0:45:38'Not only will these supply electricity,

0:45:38 > 0:45:40'they'll also make David a bit of money -

0:45:40 > 0:45:45'upwards of £500 a year supplying unused electricity back to the grid.'

0:45:45 > 0:45:48'This will be invaluable,

0:45:48 > 0:45:52'as David will be unable to work whilst he recuperates.'

0:45:53 > 0:45:56'Moving through our brand-new patio doors,

0:45:56 > 0:45:59'we enter the perfect country kitchen.'

0:45:59 > 0:46:02'With a bright decor, granite worktops

0:46:02 > 0:46:04'and brand-new appliances throughout.'

0:46:06 > 0:46:08'The main focus of the room is a hearty oak table,

0:46:08 > 0:46:14'the perfect place for family meals and perhaps for entertaining when David is better.'

0:46:14 > 0:46:19'And just so Charlie doesn't feel left out, there's a brand-new dog bed.'

0:46:19 > 0:46:21'The look and feel are continued next door

0:46:21 > 0:46:26'in the handy utility room with a luxurious limestone floor and granite surfaces.'

0:46:28 > 0:46:34'Under the stairs, we have a study area for David, with a beautiful antique desk.'

0:46:34 > 0:46:38'The lounge is designed purely for relaxing, mellow colours,

0:46:38 > 0:46:42'comfy chairs and a wood-burning stove make this a warm and cosy room.'

0:46:46 > 0:46:50'And all the artwork in here has been designed especially for Erica.'

0:46:52 > 0:46:58'In the caravan, Erica was squeezed into a tiny bedroom with no space for her possessions

0:46:58 > 0:47:00'and a big hole in the wall.'

0:47:00 > 0:47:04'But now we've given her a special bedroom of her own,

0:47:04 > 0:47:09'decorated in blues and pinks, with two ornate brass beds.'

0:47:09 > 0:47:14'It's the perfect place for an eight-year-old to start living a normal life.'

0:47:14 > 0:47:18'To relax, have friends to stay, or just spend time being a kid.'

0:47:18 > 0:47:22'Erica has had a lot of sadness and worry in her short life

0:47:22 > 0:47:26'and she's never had a room where she can spend time by herself.'

0:47:26 > 0:47:28'This is her space now.'

0:47:28 > 0:47:33'We have two bathrooms upstairs to give them both a bit of privacy.'

0:47:33 > 0:47:37'With Erica getting her own en suite in pink.'

0:47:37 > 0:47:40'The future is uncertain for the Williams family

0:47:40 > 0:47:42'and if David does fall ill, he will need help

0:47:42 > 0:47:48'so we provided a spare room for visitors, or a carer, to come and stay.'

0:47:48 > 0:47:54'David is recovering, but it's a slow process. Living in the caravan would have been bad enough.'

0:47:54 > 0:47:55'No bedroom, holes in the floor.'

0:47:55 > 0:48:00'But living there while trying to recover from the effects of heavy chemotherapy,

0:48:00 > 0:48:06'while the temperature tumbled to minus 17, must have been almost unbearable.'

0:48:06 > 0:48:10'But he can now continue that recovery in comfort

0:48:10 > 0:48:13'with a big double bed covered in local woollen blankets,

0:48:13 > 0:48:15'he won't have to be cold again.'

0:48:17 > 0:48:22'And the stunning view from the window is enough to put a smile on anyone's face.'

0:48:22 > 0:48:24'This house is a fresh start.'

0:48:24 > 0:48:29'We can't fix David's health, but this home could be Erica's security,

0:48:29 > 0:48:33'a place for David and her to start enjoying life once again.'

0:48:34 > 0:48:38'No matter what happens in the next few years, this is Erica's house.

0:48:38 > 0:48:44'And that's something that everybody who volunteered to work on it has known all along.'

0:48:44 > 0:48:48- What did you need, Erica? - Um...a house.

0:48:48 > 0:48:52- What sort of house?- Um...- A pretty house?- Yes.- A beautiful house.

0:48:52 > 0:48:55A nice house fit for a little princess, isn't it?

0:48:55 > 0:48:57Three, two, one.

0:48:57 > 0:48:59Open your eyes.

0:49:01 > 0:49:02Wow.

0:49:04 > 0:49:07- That's not our house, is it, Dad? - No.

0:49:09 > 0:49:12That's fit for a baby princess, isn't it?

0:49:17 > 0:49:19It's amazing.

0:49:19 > 0:49:24- Yeah. - It's pretty amazing. We're pretty amazed, I have to say.

0:49:24 > 0:49:27- Oh, yeah. - Are you ready to have a little look?

0:49:27 > 0:49:31Come on, let's have a little stroll in, shall we? Ready?

0:49:31 > 0:49:34And this is your new garden. You've got all the herbs here.

0:49:34 > 0:49:37- Wow!- Look, Daddy, Swingball!

0:49:37 > 0:49:39You go for it. Open the door.

0:49:42 > 0:49:43After you.

0:49:43 > 0:49:44- Look at it.- Look at that, heh?!

0:49:44 > 0:49:48- Look, Daddy!- Wow, look at that, eh? - Look what's over there, Dad.

0:49:48 > 0:49:50Pictures!

0:49:53 > 0:49:57- Wow, look at that! - They've even got one of me

0:49:57 > 0:49:59as a baby in black and white.

0:50:02 > 0:50:05Daddy, look on the table.

0:50:05 > 0:50:09A little kitchen for a little girl!

0:50:11 > 0:50:13Really lovely cooker and oven.

0:50:13 > 0:50:15Dog basket.

0:50:18 > 0:50:20Kitchen, part two.

0:50:22 > 0:50:24In fact, this is a utility room.

0:50:24 > 0:50:27You've got your washing machine and tumble drier in here,

0:50:27 > 0:50:31a sink where you can wash clothes or do any of the things, like wash off boots,

0:50:31 > 0:50:33when you come back from a long walk.

0:50:33 > 0:50:36This is an area, because of the flooring, this is where you can dry Charlie,

0:50:36 > 0:50:41once you've washed him outside so you don't get the floor messy, it is easy to clean.

0:50:41 > 0:50:44Erica, David, what do you think so far?

0:50:44 > 0:50:48It is fantastic. I don't know about information overload,

0:50:48 > 0:50:52- what about emotion overload? Is that a new phrase? - Is it what you expected?

0:50:52 > 0:50:55- No, it's better.- It is 10 times more than what I expected.- All right.

0:50:55 > 0:50:58- Shall we see if we can find your bedroom?- Yes.

0:51:00 > 0:51:02- Now, I think we thought... - Can we a look in there?

0:51:02 > 0:51:05- I think we thought that was your bedroom.- OK.

0:51:05 > 0:51:09- So we might have made that... Would you like to look at that? - What's in there?

0:51:09 > 0:51:11Daddy, it's a bathroom.

0:51:13 > 0:51:15Look how fancy the bath is.

0:51:17 > 0:51:19Ah!

0:51:19 > 0:51:23Daddy, come in. I think this might be my bedroom, Dad.

0:51:23 > 0:51:27- You think?- Do you think so? You never know, do you? - It's quite pretty, it isn't?

0:51:27 > 0:51:31Do you want to have a sit on the edge of that bed and see what you think?

0:51:33 > 0:51:37You think that's your bedroom?

0:51:37 > 0:51:41- May be.- It is a bit blue, isn't it?

0:51:41 > 0:51:45- Maybe this is the spare room. What do you think?- Yeah. Spare room.

0:51:45 > 0:51:47Not your room. All right.

0:51:47 > 0:51:48Come on, then.

0:51:50 > 0:51:53Actually, Dad, I think this might be...Yeah, your room, Daddy.

0:51:53 > 0:51:57- Wow!- I can tell. Look at the things on the wall.

0:51:57 > 0:52:01- Have a sit on the bed. See what you think. - Lovely. Fantastic, isn't it?

0:52:02 > 0:52:06That is the thing, the isolator, and the thing

0:52:06 > 0:52:10that's feeding the panels on the roof... the electricity back into the system.

0:52:10 > 0:52:15It makes sure any electricity you make on the roof you use first,

0:52:15 > 0:52:20- so it cuts your bills down and then feeds it back into the system. - Nice new coat hangers.

0:52:20 > 0:52:24- Lovely, isn't it?- You've got towels down there, as well, when you have a bath,

0:52:24 > 0:52:27so you don't have to use mine!

0:52:27 > 0:52:31That leaves one final room to show off - Erica's.

0:52:31 > 0:52:35Daddy, I've got room for my friends to stay, as well.

0:52:35 > 0:52:38Charlotte's Web!

0:52:39 > 0:52:42What do you think of the room?

0:52:42 > 0:52:46- Yay!- Do you like the paper?

0:52:46 > 0:52:51- What's up there?- Bunting that says my name.- Pretty, isn't it?- Yeah.

0:52:51 > 0:52:53Which bed's going to be yours, do you think,

0:52:53 > 0:52:58- and which bed's going to be for the person who comes to visit? - I think, um...

0:52:58 > 0:53:01I think I might have...

0:53:01 > 0:53:04- that bed.- You might have that one over there?

0:53:04 > 0:53:07- I can move my photos and things to the bedside table, over there.- OK.

0:53:07 > 0:53:12That is my mum and her mum, with their pets.

0:53:12 > 0:53:14Where did this photo used to be?

0:53:14 > 0:53:18In my old bedroom I had a tiny little shelf, there,

0:53:18 > 0:53:20and my photo used to sit on it.

0:53:20 > 0:53:27- So this is your favourite photo, is it?- Yeah.- The one you keep by your bed?- Yeah.

0:53:30 > 0:53:33Let's have you both sat down for a minute.

0:53:33 > 0:53:37So, is this the bedroom you sort of thought and wanted and...

0:53:37 > 0:53:43- If I could give it a mark out of 10, I would give it infinity. - Infinity.- Uh-huh.

0:53:43 > 0:53:47- From your point of view, David, what do you make of the place? - It's fantastic. Fit for a princess.

0:53:47 > 0:53:51That is just what was required for her to grow up in.

0:53:51 > 0:53:54- Absolutely spot on.- This is going to help you in terms of recovery?

0:53:54 > 0:53:56Absolutely. 100%.

0:53:57 > 0:54:00Do you think Charlie's going to like this?

0:54:00 > 0:54:04He's not allowed in my bedroom but he will like the rest of the house.

0:54:04 > 0:54:08- You think so. You were telling me Charlie was very worried about the future.- Uh-huh.

0:54:08 > 0:54:11Do you think, now that you've got a lovely house like this,

0:54:11 > 0:54:16- and he has somewhere nice to live, he'll be less worried about the future?- Yeah.

0:54:16 > 0:54:20Because this means that the future is going to be better.

0:54:20 > 0:54:24- I think you're are right.- Mmm. - I think you're right and you have a lovely house,

0:54:24 > 0:54:26where you and your dad can keep warm,

0:54:26 > 0:54:28so this winter there'll be no more cold.

0:54:28 > 0:54:30Unbelievable. Fantastic.

0:54:30 > 0:54:33She can just get on with the rest of life, now.

0:54:33 > 0:54:36Live like a normal little girl.

0:54:36 > 0:54:38Shall we go and say, "thank you" to all the people?

0:54:38 > 0:54:42Would you say a few words and tell them why it is so important?

0:54:42 > 0:54:44- Yeah.- Is that all right? - As long as Daddy stands with me.

0:54:44 > 0:54:49- Of course Daddy'll stand with you. We'll both be stood right with you. - OK.- Come on, let's go.

0:54:53 > 0:54:56CHEERING

0:55:06 > 0:55:09Why don't you come up here, hop up, so people can see you?

0:55:09 > 0:55:12Hop up on this bit here, there we go, now.

0:55:12 > 0:55:17- Just so that everybody knows, what do you think of the house?- Amazing!

0:55:17 > 0:55:18LAUGHTER

0:55:18 > 0:55:23- What's the best room in the house? - My bedroom.

0:55:23 > 0:55:27So what things can you do now that you couldn't do when you had the caravan?

0:55:27 > 0:55:29- Play swingball. - Yes, play swingball!

0:55:29 > 0:55:35Can I tell you, after all the work that's gone in, the main thing is that there's a swingball.

0:55:37 > 0:55:39David, would you like to explain to people, why,

0:55:39 > 0:55:43because people haven't met and not everybody knows the situation.

0:55:43 > 0:55:45Why is this such a big deal to you and Erica?

0:55:45 > 0:55:49It's a massive deal. The house is absolutely unbelievable, fantastic.

0:55:49 > 0:55:51But even if they never touch the house,

0:55:51 > 0:55:54the fact all these people just turned up, wanting to help,

0:55:54 > 0:55:58makes life worth getting up in the morning, makes life with living.

0:55:59 > 0:56:02I'd like to say a very huge thank you to all of you

0:56:02 > 0:56:06trades that have done just the most amazing job. Thank you very much.

0:56:11 > 0:56:16- Bit shy on her own?- Yeah.- David... - Thanks very much.

0:56:16 > 0:56:18I hope you enjoy your new house.

0:56:18 > 0:56:22We put the slate roof on, and the copperwork.

0:56:22 > 0:56:25You like your new house? Fantastic!

0:56:25 > 0:56:28Once upon a time there was a little girl who lived in a tumbledown caravan

0:56:28 > 0:56:33outside a pile of rubble, and her dad told her one day that pile of rubble would be a house.

0:56:33 > 0:56:37She'd had a lot to deal with in her life, but an amazing thing happened. An army came

0:56:37 > 0:56:41and turned that pile of rubble into a beautiful home.

0:56:41 > 0:56:45And that army didn't come from far, far away, it came from this village,

0:56:45 > 0:56:48and the next village and another village nearby.

0:56:48 > 0:56:52where people heard what needed doing and did it themselves. These people.

0:56:52 > 0:56:54And whilst Erica faces an uncertain future,

0:56:54 > 0:56:58what these people have done is make a little girl's dream come true.

0:56:58 > 0:57:03A house, that for years, seemed an unreachable dream

0:57:03 > 0:57:06has become a reality and a home.

0:57:08 > 0:57:12A place where Erica can grow up like any other little girl,

0:57:14 > 0:57:18and look forward to a happier future.

0:57:18 > 0:57:23My favourite things about my house are my bedroom, my bathroom, and swingball!

0:57:25 > 0:57:29Maybe you know somebody who needs some help.

0:57:32 > 0:57:35If you're in a helpless situation

0:57:35 > 0:57:38with your house or know someone who's struggling,

0:57:38 > 0:57:41then please apply to DIY SOS The Big Build,

0:57:41 > 0:57:46by visiting our website at...

0:57:46 > 0:57:48Thank you.

0:58:20 > 0:58:23Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

0:58:23 > 0:58:26E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk