0:00:03 > 0:00:06He was strong, he played cricket.
0:00:06 > 0:00:10I don't think I'd ever met anybody that was so physically in good shape.
0:00:10 > 0:00:14You get married and think, "I'll be the one looking after everyone."
0:00:14 > 0:00:17Never did I ever think
0:00:17 > 0:00:20they'd be looking after me.
0:00:20 > 0:00:25We're here to help a family face the future without their father.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31I can't imagine life without him.
0:00:31 > 0:00:35One of the most precious things that we have in life is time.
0:00:35 > 0:00:40For you guys to give your time, I can now invest in being alive.
0:00:40 > 0:00:45But we can't do it alone. We're going to need a whole community to pull together.
0:00:46 > 0:00:50Let's turn this around and give this guy a bit longer with his kids.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54It's just meant everything to a lot of people. Thank you.
0:00:54 > 0:00:59We have just nine days to turn a little house into a very special home.
0:00:59 > 0:01:05- In fact, it's that house behind you. Can we all get in there?- No! - Can we do it?- No!
0:01:05 > 0:01:09Hard luck. You have to do it anyway. This is DIY SOS: The Big Build.
0:01:09 > 0:01:10CHEERING
0:01:18 > 0:01:21Enfield, North London, is home to Eric,
0:01:21 > 0:01:26Davina and their three children Summer, Jodie and youngest Layla.
0:01:26 > 0:01:30They live here in this two-bedroom, Victorian terrace.
0:01:30 > 0:01:36Eric, a keen sportsman, has always been super-fit, playing football and cricket from a young age.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40But 18 months ago, the family's lives were turned upside down
0:01:40 > 0:01:46when, out of the blue, Eric started to experience some worrying symptoms he couldn't explain.
0:01:46 > 0:01:50I wasn't entirely sure what it was, but I knew something was up.
0:01:50 > 0:01:56I'd be carrying milk from the fridge to the work surface and the milk would fall out of my hand.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59I thought, "You clumsy idiot, you keep dropping stuff."
0:01:59 > 0:02:03But after that happened about four or five times,
0:02:03 > 0:02:07I remember thinking, "I didn't let that go, that fell out of my hand."
0:02:07 > 0:02:11Over the next few weeks, Eric's symptoms got progressively worse.
0:02:11 > 0:02:16I then started to research what these symptoms could possibly mean.
0:02:17 > 0:02:23And I kept landing on the page for motor neurone disease.
0:02:25 > 0:02:32I felt ill to my core. I couldn't believe this was possibly what I was looking at.
0:02:32 > 0:02:38Eric was referred to a neurologist who, after further tests, confirmed his worst fears
0:02:38 > 0:02:41and he was diagnosed with motor neurone disease,
0:02:41 > 0:02:45a condition which destroys the cells found throughout the body
0:02:45 > 0:02:48which the brain uses to control muscle movement.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52Eric's form of motor neurone disease is terminal
0:02:52 > 0:02:55with a life expectancy of up to three years.
0:02:58 > 0:03:03I'm currently in month 15 today.
0:03:05 > 0:03:11We decided very early on to be as honest as we could with the children.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16We wanted the children to understand what was going to happen.
0:03:16 > 0:03:22I'm not going to be here to see their first boyfriend, see them get married, go to university.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25I'm not going to be here for that.
0:03:25 > 0:03:32Since Daddy got ill, it's brought us all a lot closer. We do everything together, I suppose, yeah.
0:03:35 > 0:03:42This time that we've got from here on in is the most precious time we have got as a family.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46The fear that instilled within me...
0:03:46 > 0:03:50I'm still trying to come to terms with, I think.
0:03:50 > 0:03:57You know, what's going to happen? How are we going to manage without Eric who is such an amazing father?
0:03:57 > 0:04:00- SOBBING - I can't imagine life without him.
0:04:03 > 0:04:10As the disease progresses, Eric will start to become completely dependent on his wheelchair.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16We're finding now the house is getting quite difficult for us.
0:04:16 > 0:04:21He's having a lot more difficulty in manoeuvring round the house, getting up and down stairs.
0:04:21 > 0:04:28Because the bedroom is upstairs and the toilet facilities are upstairs,
0:04:28 > 0:04:33if I decide to stay up there, I'm going to be cut off from my family.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37Along with this, they are all squeezed into these two bedrooms.
0:04:37 > 0:04:43There's a semi-converted loft room, but it's unsafe and now just used as a junk room,
0:04:43 > 0:04:47so Layla, the youngest, is still sleeping in with Eric and Davina,
0:04:47 > 0:04:51not ideal with Eric's condition getting more serious.
0:04:51 > 0:04:57I was going to sort out the loft, I was going to sort out the kids' bedrooms.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01Unfortunately, that has been taken away from me.
0:05:02 > 0:05:08It will be one of my dreams coming true if I can see that happen for my children.
0:05:09 > 0:05:15'That's why we're here - to do our best to turn that dream into a reality
0:05:15 > 0:05:21'and give the family a home which will help, rather than hinder them over the tough times ahead.'
0:05:21 > 0:05:27The renovations we'll do now, are they to make things nicer for you or to make things easier for your dad?
0:05:27 > 0:05:32I think, priority-wise, definitely to make things easier for Daddy.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36You wouldn't be upset if we made things nice for you too?
0:05:36 > 0:05:41I think we'd like that too, but I just want to make Daddy's life easier, basically.
0:05:41 > 0:05:47- Can we do whatever we want with it to make it better?- Yeah.- Have you ever seen the programme?- Yeah.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50- And you trust us?- Yeah. LAUGHTER
0:05:51 > 0:05:55What do you need to make this house work?
0:05:55 > 0:05:59Three growing girls and two bedrooms is difficult enough in itself,
0:05:59 > 0:06:05but now there are added difficulties with the layout of the house because of your illness.
0:06:05 > 0:06:09So how does that affect you and what are the difficulties you face?
0:06:09 > 0:06:13What would have been a normal house for an able-bodied person
0:06:13 > 0:06:17has now turned into a house with many traps.
0:06:17 > 0:06:23He has lost the strength in his arms. If he does fall, it's quite substantial damage to him.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27He had one fall down the stairs from the top to the bottom backwards.
0:06:27 > 0:06:32This house has always been a sanctuary for me and my wife and my children.
0:06:32 > 0:06:35And because I've got motor neurone disease,
0:06:35 > 0:06:41it's threatening to change that into a death trap for me.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50- So...- You'd like us to try and sort that out?- Please make it safe.
0:06:52 > 0:06:58I promise we'll do our very best. We'll do our very best and we'll try and get everybody to help out too.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00Thank you. Thank you.
0:07:00 > 0:07:04'We've got an awful lot to do to try and sort this house out
0:07:04 > 0:07:08'and make it a safer environment for Eric, Davina and the girls.'
0:07:08 > 0:07:12- We will do our best. I promise. - Thank you so much.
0:07:12 > 0:07:17'So it's time to get the family off as we really need to get started.'
0:07:17 > 0:07:21Hello there, guys. Hello. How are you? All right?
0:07:21 > 0:07:25They've found out that the school said they could have the day off
0:07:25 > 0:07:28and Mum and Dad said, "No, they'll be all right."
0:07:28 > 0:07:32- You've sent them in for another day? - Yeah, exactly.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35I'm not letting them have a free day off. I didn't get any free days!
0:07:37 > 0:07:42- We've got to get on with stuff, so, gents, if you'd like to head on this way.- See you later.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46I want to say one thing. I want you to know
0:07:46 > 0:07:50that one of the most precious things that we have in life is time.
0:07:50 > 0:07:56And for you guys to give your time to try and help my life be a lot better
0:07:56 > 0:08:02is the most rewarding thing you could possibly do for someone.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06The best way I could probably show you how grateful I am for that
0:08:06 > 0:08:11is to use that time that you've given me to live a bit longer
0:08:11 > 0:08:13That's the best way. Thank you.
0:08:13 > 0:08:17- Because you've given me this time. - A pleasure, mate.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21- Thanks.- I'll catch up with you later in the week.- Lovely. Cheers.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23- Bye.- Thank you.- Bye.
0:08:26 > 0:08:32Well, we all know now why we're doing it and why we've got to do the best we can.
0:08:32 > 0:08:33Come here.
0:08:34 > 0:08:39- Lovely words. We've got to get on. - We've got to do the best we can.
0:08:39 > 0:08:45- All right, mate. I know.- Come on. Let's go and get this done, yeah?
0:08:45 > 0:08:51'Never has it been clearer why we're all here, but we've got a job to do and there is no time to waste.'
0:08:51 > 0:08:54- Guys, people are turning up.- Right.
0:08:54 > 0:08:59'The local Enfield trades have not let us down and they've turned out in force.
0:08:59 > 0:09:05'Everyone has been touched deeply by Eric's story and it's clear how important this build will be.'
0:09:05 > 0:09:10It's a really tight site. The only way to get through it is have a laugh, enjoy yourselves,
0:09:10 > 0:09:14let's turn this around and give this guy a bit longer with his kids.
0:09:14 > 0:09:20- Up for it?- Yeah.- Thanks very much. Enjoy yourselves. We'll get the tea on as soon as possible.
0:09:20 > 0:09:25'We've got just nine days and the clock is already ticking.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27'Inside, it's already absolute mayhem.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31'With such a tight site and 30 local trades in,
0:09:31 > 0:09:38'it's difficult to see how everyone is going to fit, let alone get any work done. Bellies in, lads!'
0:09:38 > 0:09:41Why do plumbers always put a little bit of weight on
0:09:41 > 0:09:47and they've got to get in the smallest places in the room like behind the sink, behind the toilet?
0:09:47 > 0:09:51- Too many bacon sandwiches. - Good living, is it, lads?
0:09:51 > 0:09:56'But the man who is here to make sense of all this chaos is our designer Oliver Heath.'
0:09:56 > 0:09:59That should be above the washing machine there.
0:09:59 > 0:10:04'Oliver has been with us a couple of times. A glutton for punishment!
0:10:04 > 0:10:10'Oliver's real passion is to bring everyday homes up to scratch and make them fit for the future.
0:10:10 > 0:10:16'With two young girls of his own, he's well aware of the needs a house has to fulfil for a growing family.
0:10:16 > 0:10:20'It will be tough to combine this with Eric's medical needs,
0:10:20 > 0:10:24'but that's why he's here - to get the balance right.'
0:10:24 > 0:10:26- Hello, design team.- Hello.- Hello.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30- So, a very small house. Not much to design then?- Easy(!)
0:10:30 > 0:10:33- Yes... No, it's quite a tricky house.- It is.
0:10:33 > 0:10:39- Really, there were so many functional things that were dictated by Eric's condition.- Yeah.
0:10:39 > 0:10:46And it's really important that, on top of all these functional things, we make this a beautiful house
0:10:46 > 0:10:50and it's a fantastic place for them to live, it's a home.
0:10:50 > 0:10:53'Oliver's got big plans for this little house.
0:10:53 > 0:10:59'His design means we're ripping out the old kitchen and building a new extension to the rear
0:10:59 > 0:11:02'to create a kitchen-dining area for the whole family.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04'We're widening all the doorways,
0:11:04 > 0:11:09'so that Eric can move around the house independently in his wheelchair.
0:11:09 > 0:11:15'On the first floor, we're turning the bathroom into a wet room suitable for Eric and the family
0:11:15 > 0:11:20'and putting in a special lift to give wheelchair access from the ground floor.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24'On the top floor, we'll completely gut the existing attic,
0:11:24 > 0:11:29'put in new stairs and square off the roof to make a new bedroom for Summer, the eldest girl.
0:11:29 > 0:11:34'There is a lot to do, but it's the only way to sort out the house for Eric
0:11:34 > 0:11:38'and give the family the extra space they're after.'
0:11:38 > 0:11:42Every ten centimetres will make a huge difference within this house,
0:11:42 > 0:11:48so we'll have to be really careful about every piece that comes through that door
0:11:48 > 0:11:51to make sure we maximise the potential of this house.
0:11:55 > 0:12:01'This build will be defined above all else by space. We've got to create as much of it as possible
0:12:01 > 0:12:07'to house a growing family of five and this means pushing out to the rear.'
0:12:07 > 0:12:12- We've got a SIPS extension over in the neighbour's garden.- Are we handballing it over the wall?
0:12:12 > 0:12:19- Yeah, we're going to get it into this position. How long will that take you?- About three or four hours.
0:12:19 > 0:12:24- We need to get the foundation in.- Ge the walls in and we'll get it done.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28'And we're building up. Well, as far as planning regs will allow us.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31'But first we need some heavy-duty hardware.'
0:12:31 > 0:12:35That's the steel lorry, so I'll go up to that junction
0:12:35 > 0:12:41- and we'll try and get this swung in straight away. I'll go and do that. - Yeah.- Thank you, everybody.
0:12:41 > 0:12:47'These steel beams are being craned in to support a new loft extension which takes five weeks to build,
0:12:47 > 0:12:53'but we've got just a few days, so we've drafted in loft extension specialists Dave and Rob.'
0:12:53 > 0:12:59- So you've got seven days to do a lof conversion, Dave?- I know, I know.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02Mind you, the world was built in seven days, wasn't it?
0:13:02 > 0:13:05- LAUGHTER - 'At least they seem confident!'
0:13:05 > 0:13:07- Ready?- OK...
0:13:12 > 0:13:17'On a terraced, suburban street, a whole community has to help us, not least with patience
0:13:17 > 0:13:20'because of unavoidable disruption.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24'It's a real challenge just getting materials delivered to the site.'
0:13:24 > 0:13:30We've just got no space. We've just blocked off a whole road here for a truck to get in.
0:13:30 > 0:13:37One of the most difficult jobs we've done in terms of it being a very small house, very little parking.
0:13:37 > 0:13:43But what do we do? We just hope that people bear with us and put up with the trouble we're causing them.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46Sorry for the delay.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49'Everyone seems happy to help, including the kind neighbour
0:13:49 > 0:13:53'who let us store the wood panels for our extension in her garden,
0:13:53 > 0:13:58'which we'll have to hump over the garden fence, so it'll need a bit of muscle.'
0:13:58 > 0:14:01There it is. There, look. There we go.
0:14:01 > 0:14:06'Our SIPS extension is a clever pre-fabricated system which can be bolted together on site
0:14:06 > 0:14:11'by a team of two in just a few hours. It should be easy.'
0:14:11 > 0:14:16- You're not going to get these lifted up with two people.- Two of us got it from the lorry to there.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22Oh, no, that ain't gonna happen.
0:14:23 > 0:14:26It's a little bit embarrassing.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31They are littler than us. You and him can get it over there.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35- Me and him can't lift it, but you and him...?- Yeah.
0:14:35 > 0:14:40'I have honestly never felt so embarrassed, knackered and old,
0:14:40 > 0:14:45'but I do see myself in more of a supervisory role these days.'
0:14:45 > 0:14:48- Ready, everybody?- Up...and push!
0:14:49 > 0:14:52A little bit more.
0:14:52 > 0:14:57Well done, everyone. 'If I was a horse, they'd put me out to pasture now.
0:14:57 > 0:15:01'No, surely my unique talents are needed in the loft,
0:15:01 > 0:15:06'talking to Dave and the boys who have found a solution to the low ceiling problem.'
0:15:06 > 0:15:10We're extending these rafters out to give extra head height.
0:15:10 > 0:15:14Now with that, we're going to get seven-foot ceilings.
0:15:14 > 0:15:19- Seven-foot?- Yeah.- Even with all the installation we have to put in?
0:15:19 > 0:15:22'It is going to be a huge amount of work up here,
0:15:22 > 0:15:27'but it's the only way of eking out the third bedroom that the family desperately need.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30'It's vital for Eric to move around safely in his wheelchair
0:15:30 > 0:15:36'and with the family's bathroom upstairs, he'll need a lift to get there.'
0:15:36 > 0:15:42Eric will be able to come up in his lift, get access into the bedroo through a new doorway here
0:15:42 > 0:15:48and he'll also have access into his new wet room which will be here and will be brilliant.
0:15:48 > 0:15:53But what's really nice is as the lif comes up out of the living room, it stays flush with the ceiling,
0:15:53 > 0:15:57which means they've got a very normal space down the stairs.
0:15:57 > 0:16:04He doesn't want it full of disabilit stuff. He wants the kids to have a normal space. He's a lovely man.
0:16:04 > 0:16:10'One of the first things to knock down in the house is the dividing wall that forms a corridor
0:16:10 > 0:16:16'to the front door as the family have found wheelchair access increasingly difficult.
0:16:16 > 0:16:21'What we replace it with becomes, suddenly, a bone of contention.'
0:16:21 > 0:16:26We're putting a new stud wall up which is going to make this entrance wider.
0:16:26 > 0:16:31We'll move this over by ten centimetres, so we'll have a one-metre-wide hallway
0:16:31 > 0:16:36- and a one-metre-wide opening off that wall.- They've got little enough room as it is.
0:16:36 > 0:16:42- Why are we closing the room down? - I hate when you have the front door going directly into living space.
0:16:42 > 0:16:48- Yeah, but you live in a big house. - When you open the front door, you get a burst of cold air.
0:16:48 > 0:16:53- They've got to get the wheelchair in and out.- Yeah, we've got all the measurements.
0:16:53 > 0:16:58And making maximum use of the space that's here is.... Why are you breaking the room up?
0:16:58 > 0:17:02Because it creates a much better space here as a proper lounge space,
0:17:02 > 0:17:08as opposed to a circulation space coming straight in off the street.
0:17:08 > 0:17:13Look, maybe I'm completely... Who thinks the best idea is to not have a wall here at all?
0:17:13 > 0:17:17- In their circumstances, no wall. - No wall.
0:17:17 > 0:17:21I see where you're coming from about having the wall and the privacy,
0:17:21 > 0:17:26but why not go back here with the sofa and give as much space coming through here?
0:17:26 > 0:17:30Then you've got wheelchair access in through the middle of the room.
0:17:30 > 0:17:35- Oliver, I have to agree with Nick this time. - 'It seems Builders 5, Oliver 1.'
0:17:35 > 0:17:40This is a really tricky decision and if it means getting rid of the wall, that's fine,
0:17:40 > 0:17:45but I'm not going to be swayed because I'm just outvoted by a gang of builders
0:17:45 > 0:17:49who are all going to side with each other against the designer.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53I'm not prepared to be pushed into a corner by that sort of attitude.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57We've got to do the right thing for the house and for the whole family.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00That is Eric, but it's also the girls as well.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04And their life in this home is important.
0:18:04 > 0:18:09'Oliver, if you want the wall back up, I think you'll have to build it yourself.
0:18:09 > 0:18:13'We're feeling the pressure and emotions are running high.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16'The decisions we make will have a massive effect.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20'So even if me and the boys don't see eye to eye with Oliver,
0:18:20 > 0:18:25'we're all united in our determination to get things right for the family.'
0:18:25 > 0:18:29- So at the moment, you two share? - Yeah.- And how's that?
0:18:29 > 0:18:36- A bit annoying because we get on top of each other, but it can be fun.- Yeah, there are bonuses to it.
0:18:36 > 0:18:42Summer, you were lying in the middle and Jodie said, "Don't step over that line."
0:18:42 > 0:18:45- Where do you sleep? - In Mummy and Daddy's room.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49- Really?- Layla stays in our room a lot, though.
0:18:49 > 0:18:55- Mummy says it's a sleepover. - A sleepover, but it turns out to be a three-month sleepover!
0:18:55 > 0:19:01- So it would be good to have little bits of space where you could be yourself as well?- Yeah, definitely.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05Everyone needs some space away from their family, even for five minutes.
0:19:05 > 0:19:08Do you all sit down and eat together?
0:19:08 > 0:19:14- We used to.- We used to eat at the table. We'd all sit down and have Sunday roast dinner,
0:19:14 > 0:19:18then we'd turn off the television and just talk about things,
0:19:18 > 0:19:23but when all the stuff started piling on the table, all the forms about Daddy's illness
0:19:23 > 0:19:27and all the forms about Mummy's work and all our books,
0:19:27 > 0:19:31then we couldn't eat there, so we had to sit down at our sofa area.
0:19:31 > 0:19:37We got out of the habit of turning off the television and talking, so we just watched the television.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40Suddenly, too many things going on.
0:19:40 > 0:19:45If we could separate out a little work area for you and the TV area is one thing
0:19:45 > 0:19:49and the kitchen and dining area, you would have different places to go.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52I used to think I wanted to move for a long time,
0:19:52 > 0:19:57then I came to the realisation that, especially with everything that's going on,
0:19:57 > 0:20:03I realised that it's not the size of the house, it's the people, the atmosphere and the environment.
0:20:03 > 0:20:09That's what makes a home, I think, and I think that's exactly what we've got.
0:20:09 > 0:20:15- What would be the best thing you could hope for when you come back? - Anything. A change, really.
0:20:15 > 0:20:21- Yeah.- A change. A change for the better?- Yeah. - OK, I think we can do that.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25'And that change is happening before our eyes.
0:20:25 > 0:20:30'It's amazing to see what we've achieved already.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34'Out the back, the lads have almost finished the SIPS extension.'
0:20:35 > 0:20:39- Why are they called SIPS? - It's got to be, um...- Structural.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43- Structural...?- Important... - Insulation.- Insulated?
0:20:43 > 0:20:47- What's SIPS stand for? - No idea. I've never even heard of it
0:20:47 > 0:20:53- We've put these up for ten years and I've never heard them called that. - Have you not?- No. Timber-frame.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57- I hope that's a lot clearer for you. - Very much so. Thanks(!)
0:21:00 > 0:21:04'Good morning. With over 30 local trades on site today,
0:21:04 > 0:21:10'it's amazing to see the Enfield community pulling together to do everything they can for the family.'
0:21:10 > 0:21:15- The most important shed is up there. It's where you make the tea. - We'll all go down there.
0:21:15 > 0:21:21- Tea and doughnuts.- There's plenty of doughnuts standing around. - That's nice, innit(?)
0:21:21 > 0:21:26'There's been a real outpouring of tea and support for the family here in Enfield
0:21:26 > 0:21:31'and everyone is donating their time and effort to get the house sorted.
0:21:31 > 0:21:36'But none of them would be here, had it not been for Eric and Davina's best friend Amanda
0:21:36 > 0:21:39'who made it her mission to get us all here.'
0:21:39 > 0:21:44- I'm going to introduce you to somebody. This lady is a Twitter stalker.- Really?- Yeah.
0:21:44 > 0:21:50It's very rare I get to introduce somebody as a stalker, but that's exactly what you are, isn't it?
0:21:50 > 0:21:54- More a psycho Twitter stalker. - Yes. You wrote in to us.
0:21:54 > 0:21:58- Twice I wrote in to you. - To me?- Yeah.- On my website?- Yes.
0:21:58 > 0:22:05- Then I passed that on to the office and said to you, "You should apply directly to the office."- Yes.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08- Which you also did.- Yes. - But then on my Twitter,
0:22:08 > 0:22:14I'm getting five a day, saying, "I still haven't heard anything. You don't realise how important this is.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18"Twitter me back immediately. I still haven't heard from you.
0:22:18 > 0:22:22- "I'm still here. Don't think I'm going away." - LAUGHTER
0:22:22 > 0:22:28- At least I know they're read. - That's the way to do it.- That's definitely not the way to do it.
0:22:28 > 0:22:34- But the net result is...- You're here.- Yeah, and look what you've don to the place.- I've destroyed it.
0:22:34 > 0:22:38- It's got no roof on it.- No. - It's got no back on it.
0:22:38 > 0:22:43- Do you like what we've done with the place?- It's amazing. Are you leaving it like this?
0:22:43 > 0:22:46- Shabby chic is what we're going for. - They'll like it.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49- Are you pleased that you...? - I'm overcome.
0:22:49 > 0:22:54This is the first time I've seen it. I can't believe that you guys are all here doing this.
0:22:55 > 0:23:01'Just a day ago, this was a family bathroom, but to make space for the lift and new wet room,
0:23:01 > 0:23:03'this wall has got to come out.
0:23:04 > 0:23:09'When Mark's not around, Jules is the man in charge.
0:23:09 > 0:23:14'When it comes to knocking stuff down, there's no denying he's built for the job.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21'But the more we knock down, the more problems we're finding.
0:23:21 > 0:23:26'The ceiling between the first floor and the attic is loose and could fall down at any moment.'
0:23:26 > 0:23:33- It's not looking too sweet.- No. The best bet would be to get that down, get it out of the way.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35- Get stuck in.- All right.- All right?
0:23:35 > 0:23:38'If you say so, Jules. You're the boss.
0:23:44 > 0:23:50It's really shocking. Normally, we'd be planning a job like this for seven or eight months.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54While this demolition stuff happens very quickly in the first few days,
0:23:54 > 0:24:00you've got the confidence knowing this is a build that will be going on for four or five months.
0:24:00 > 0:24:05This is less than a shell. It just sends tingles down my fingers
0:24:05 > 0:24:09because you just can't see how it's all going to come back together.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11Imagine what the family are saying.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15If they were here now to see their old hallway and bathroom...
0:24:15 > 0:24:20This is just... I know we've got used to seeing it, but this is...
0:24:20 > 0:24:25- You've got to go backwards to go forwards, son. - It's quite a long way backwards.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27It's unbelievable, innit?
0:24:27 > 0:24:32'Flipping heck! Leave Jules in charge for five minutes and look what happens!
0:24:32 > 0:24:34'Breathe, Mark, breathe!'
0:24:35 > 0:24:42We were putting the dormer on here and a loft room in here and we've removed the top of the house now!
0:24:42 > 0:24:44It's spiralling again, isn't it?
0:24:44 > 0:24:47- Spiralling.- Yeah.- Spiralling, yes.
0:24:47 > 0:24:53- I'm not saying it's spiralling out of control.- No, it's not. - Spiralling nonetheless.
0:24:53 > 0:24:58'With only five days left, the full scale of the build is becoming clear and it's daunting,
0:24:58 > 0:25:04'but everyone on site is focused on one thing - to do the best they can do to get the house right
0:25:04 > 0:25:10'to help Eric, Davina and the girls make the difficult times ahead as happy and stress-free as possible,
0:25:10 > 0:25:16'so they can spend as much family time as they can, building happy memories together.'
0:25:16 > 0:25:18I just wondered to what extent for you
0:25:18 > 0:25:23having people come in and do building work on your house makes that much difference?
0:25:23 > 0:25:29I'll tell you what it does. It eliminates the risk factor or certainly minimises it,
0:25:29 > 0:25:33so that I'm no longer stressing about,
0:25:33 > 0:25:39"Can I go into the kitchen without pulling something down, falling over or getting tipped out the chair?"
0:25:39 > 0:25:44Because I'm no longer stressed about simple things like that,
0:25:44 > 0:25:50I can now invest that time and that energy into having a better time with my family
0:25:50 > 0:25:56and therefore living a much more positive experience with them.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58And that time will involve smiles.
0:25:58 > 0:26:02- Yeah.- I know you work really hard, no matter what your own fears are,
0:26:02 > 0:26:08- to make sure the time you spend with your children is full of smiles and happiness.- Yeah.
0:26:08 > 0:26:10They're great kids.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13Oh, you're seeing them at their best
0:26:13 > 0:26:16You want to hear them! I mean, they're fantastic.
0:26:16 > 0:26:20Don't get me wrong. They're fantastic, but my word, they're kids
0:26:20 > 0:26:23and they test the boundaries all the time.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27Sick or not, they'll test the boundaries and they certainly do
0:26:27 > 0:26:33I try my best to define and set their moral compass and so far, it looks like it's worked.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37You've done a great job. They're wonderful children.
0:26:37 > 0:26:42What is it that occupies your mind the most at the moment?
0:26:42 > 0:26:48The one that haunts me all the time is who is going to look after my children, my wife when I'm not here.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52You get married and you think, "I'll be the one looking after everyone."
0:26:52 > 0:26:55Never did I ever think...
0:26:57 > 0:26:59..they'd be looking after me.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03This is not your fault, Eric.
0:27:03 > 0:27:05This has just happened.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08The world's a difficult place...
0:27:11 > 0:27:13..to live in.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21I want to protect them.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25- ERIC SOBS - I know, I know.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32They won't be left on their own.
0:27:32 > 0:27:38Because you're the man that you are, because you're the man other people respect and love,
0:27:38 > 0:27:41it means that you've built an extra family around you.
0:27:41 > 0:27:47You don't have a group of friends like this who badgered me constantly on Twitter...
0:27:47 > 0:27:51- Sorry about that. - ..who wrote to me constantly on my website, who rang the BBC,
0:27:51 > 0:27:54who came out in force to help us...
0:27:54 > 0:27:59- Those people aren't there by accident. They're there because of who you are.- Yeah.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02It is incredibly comforting.
0:28:02 > 0:28:07The way that I put it is that I'm lying in a bed
0:28:07 > 0:28:10and my friends are the mattress.
0:28:10 > 0:28:17And every time I'm in a bit of pain, they gently roll me into a comfortable position.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19They're fantastic.
0:28:35 > 0:28:40Where are we at? Not a lot in this room because it didn't need a lot apart from the wall coming out.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44We've made the hole and the surround for the lift to the next floor,
0:28:44 > 0:28:48but that won't be fitted until a lot more is done upstairs.
0:28:48 > 0:28:53Follow me because the boys have been working hard to plaster the place,
0:28:53 > 0:28:56so the kitchen fitters can start there tomorrow.
0:28:56 > 0:29:02Upstairs, it's been manic. The room that's behind you there has had some prep for decoration which is great.
0:29:02 > 0:29:05It's through here where all the work has gone on.
0:29:05 > 0:29:10This bedroom has been created with this wall and this wall which wasn't here before.
0:29:10 > 0:29:14The stairwell has all gone out and the loft, look at it.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17There's a huge amount of work still to go on in there,
0:29:17 > 0:29:21but we have managed to create the walls for the bathroom.
0:29:21 > 0:29:27That could turn into a bathroom tomorrow, but there's a lot of work to do with only five days to do it.
0:29:35 > 0:29:40- Welcome to the house of fun, lads. - 'We're at the halfway stage now
0:29:40 > 0:29:46'and, yes, we've got a mountain to climb, but the mood is now more determined and better than ever.'
0:29:46 > 0:29:52- What are you doing for us? - Everything.- Lovely.- Bit of brickie work, build a kitchen, whatever!
0:29:54 > 0:30:00This is what it's all about. Busy, busy, busy. Organised chaos. Busy.
0:30:00 > 0:30:08- Fantastic.- 'We're moving like lightning today. The boys in the attic are finishing the framework.
0:30:08 > 0:30:12- 'They've played a blinder.' - Be very proud of yourselves.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16You've been up against it and you haven't given up.
0:30:16 > 0:30:21- A wee bit more, wee bit more. - Is this not enough, master(?)
0:30:22 > 0:30:26'Well, some stairs would be nice.
0:30:26 > 0:30:30'Those stairs will give access to the new loft room,
0:30:30 > 0:30:36'but with space inside so tight, they have to go out and come back in through the first floor window.
0:30:36 > 0:30:42- 'After all this, they'd better fit.' - Have you got that top section? - Yeah, that's it.
0:30:43 > 0:30:44Whoa.
0:30:45 > 0:30:49Push that top section down if you can.
0:30:49 > 0:30:51Yeah, that's got it.
0:30:51 > 0:30:55'Now things will speed up!
0:30:55 > 0:31:01'With the major structural aspects now installed, we can really start to see how the new space works,
0:31:01 > 0:31:04'but is it what Eric needs?
0:31:04 > 0:31:09'Lorraine from the Motor Neurone Association casts an eye over the changes.'
0:31:09 > 0:31:14It's fantastic, absolutely fantastic. It's all-important.
0:31:14 > 0:31:20We always have to destroy a house first and so much of what we have to do is structural
0:31:20 > 0:31:25to fit in the lift, open doorways so that he can move around...
0:31:25 > 0:31:31- It's terrible. People become prisoners in their own home. - That happens a lot with MND.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35Some people live the rest of their lives upstairs, away from family,
0:31:35 > 0:31:41or downstairs, living on one level. So this is why having the lift will make such a huge difference.
0:31:41 > 0:31:47He's got access to the whole house and can be where his family are as opposed to stuck in one room.
0:31:47 > 0:31:52- So this is giving him more time with his children.- Definitely.
0:31:52 > 0:31:56It's going to make a huge difference to them, yeah.
0:32:03 > 0:32:08'Here in Enfield, we've had more than 80 trades through the door. Amazing.
0:32:08 > 0:32:12'And what's more, they keep turning up.
0:32:12 > 0:32:16'I hope local landscaper Jeremy likes a challenge.
0:32:16 > 0:32:20'The garden looks like a building site. We've been trampling over it.'
0:32:20 > 0:32:24This is what we've got. Planting the garden, get it re-turfed
0:32:24 > 0:32:29- and use this area as Eric's area for the wheelchair.- Yeah, fine.
0:32:29 > 0:32:33- We've got access for him through the side door.- That's fine.
0:32:33 > 0:32:37We can make this look perfect and very solid for him.
0:32:37 > 0:32:41- How long have we got to do this? - Well, three days?
0:32:41 > 0:32:47- OK. I better start measuring up, them.- You do that, then it's over to you.- Thanks very much(!)
0:32:49 > 0:32:56'Just three days to go and thanks to the boys in the kitchen, everything is on schedule.'
0:32:56 > 0:33:00We are putting in a low-level work area for Eric.
0:33:00 > 0:33:06- Do you think you'll be wrapped up in here tonight?- We have to be, mate. - Yeah?- Definitely.
0:33:07 > 0:33:13'But upstairs is a different story. The sheer amount of work means the pressure is very much on.'
0:33:14 > 0:33:20We've got to get this all wrapped up. We've got two nights, then we bring the decorators in.
0:33:20 > 0:33:27We've got to get the plaster on to have half a chance. It'll be right up to the eleventh hour.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29It's the lack of space.
0:33:29 > 0:33:35'But at least things are moving on in the wet room. One of the specialist bits of kit is here.'
0:33:35 > 0:33:39This is the special loo that does... Tell us what it does.
0:33:39 > 0:33:44- It actually washes and dries you. - Right.- No need for toilet paper.
0:33:44 > 0:33:50So for somebody, for example, who has difficulty gripping, that's a problem in the loo.
0:33:50 > 0:33:55Things you don't even think about, but not being able to hold toilet paper...
0:33:55 > 0:34:00So it's a state of the art bathroom, which is fantastic.
0:34:00 > 0:34:06'This loo is going to make a massive difference to Eric's independence and, more importantly, his dignity.
0:34:06 > 0:34:13'Since his illness has taken hold, Eric has battled to not let the disease rule his life
0:34:13 > 0:34:18'Friends Heather and Christina know how much strength it has taken.'
0:34:18 > 0:34:23- So you've seen it all happen. - We've seen healthy Eric deteriorate.
0:34:23 > 0:34:30- It's tough. He's such a lovely man. - If you're really morbid and down about it, he hates it.
0:34:30 > 0:34:35You have to go with a smile on your face. He's such a happy chap.
0:34:35 > 0:34:41The time I've known him, I don't think he's ever not been able to help somebody.
0:34:41 > 0:34:45And he's the one that kind of held the family up and...
0:34:45 > 0:34:52- I can't... So, you know... - It seems to have affected everybody around here.- Yeah, it has.
0:34:52 > 0:34:58- It has.- It is amazing, what you're doing for them.- It's amazing what the community are doing.
0:34:58 > 0:35:04There's only six of us and we've got a building full of people, all from the local community.
0:35:04 > 0:35:10- If you want to help and do some cleaning and hoovering up... - I'm good at cleaning! It's my thing.
0:35:10 > 0:35:15- All right, ladies.- Definitely. - OK, we'll see you later.
0:35:15 > 0:35:21I just want to say, on a personal level, it means absolutely everything what you guys are doing.
0:35:21 > 0:35:26- I know it's not just you. - We're just the catalyst.- I know.
0:35:26 > 0:35:32- But it's just meant everything to a lot of people. Thank you. - We'll see you later in the week.
0:35:32 > 0:35:34- Thank you.- Take care.- Bye.
0:35:34 > 0:35:38'Eric and the family have touched our hearts as well.
0:35:38 > 0:35:44'We've realised how important it is for them to cram in as many lasting memories as they can.
0:35:44 > 0:35:50'Eric is a massive sports fan who grew up playing football and cricket and he's keen to pass on
0:35:50 > 0:35:57'this passion for sports to his girls. He's desperate to take them to a football match.
0:35:57 > 0:36:03'These trips are becoming less and less possible. We organised a trip to Wembley, but there's a downside.
0:36:03 > 0:36:08- 'They've got Billy with them.' - This is Team Rivers!
0:36:08 > 0:36:14'It's been an incredibly tough year, so we thought we'd make one of Eric's biggest wishes come true.'
0:36:14 > 0:36:16Look, there's the pitch there.
0:36:16 > 0:36:21- Oh, look. - It's amazing, innit?
0:36:21 > 0:36:26You imagine 100,000 people in it and you come through this tunnel.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29I'd want to turn round and go back!
0:36:29 > 0:36:37Blimey. This is what these guys see when they come out with three lions on their chest.
0:36:37 > 0:36:41They come out and we're seeing the players' view.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47Unbelievable.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50- It's a great feeling. - Billy, thanks, man.
0:36:50 > 0:36:54- It ain't me. Thank everyone. - You're a star.
0:36:54 > 0:37:00Done for a very special person. This is MY dream and you're dream! We both had a dream together.
0:37:00 > 0:37:06- Right, do you want a kickabout, then?- Oh, hey!
0:37:06 > 0:37:09- Right, are you ready, Eric? - Yeah, let's go, buddy.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12- You got it? - I've got you.
0:37:12 > 0:37:17How do you feel? ..Give your dad a big cuddle, girls.
0:37:20 > 0:37:22You've got your girls.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27It's unbelievable.
0:37:27 > 0:37:32It is easily one of the best memories I'll ever have.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35In my life, I swear.
0:37:35 > 0:37:39And the first one that's with these girls.
0:37:43 > 0:37:45BILLY: England!
0:37:53 > 0:37:56- I'm catching up with you.- You are.
0:37:58 > 0:38:04'Onsite, Chris and the plasterers have really pulled out all the stops to get the whole house skimmed.
0:38:04 > 0:38:10- 'It's been a monumental effort, but they've done it.' - Last bit of plastering.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14Look - all done. The boys are just mixing up and that'll be it.
0:38:14 > 0:38:18That's the whole house finished.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20Am I glad of that!
0:38:25 > 0:38:30'It's the final day and you can see the house being transformed
0:38:30 > 0:38:34'from a building site into a home. Well, usually you can.'
0:38:38 > 0:38:45- I like what you've done with the place. The shabby chic walls. - There's so much to do here.
0:38:45 > 0:38:50- You've got to paint it grey! - We've got several shades of grey to come in.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52Give me a chance!
0:38:52 > 0:38:59No, the problem is the work's going on a lot longer and we have less chance to make it look beautiful.
0:38:59 > 0:39:03You know you get one day if you're lucky to make it look nice.
0:39:03 > 0:39:07- Yeah. Well, it might be half a day. - It might be!
0:39:08 > 0:39:14'He's right. It's not often I say that, but the wet room with specialist toiler is almost done.
0:39:14 > 0:39:19'Downstairs, the wheelchair lift is going in.' Hang on! It's moving!
0:39:19 > 0:39:23- What's the general consensus? All looking good?- Very good.- Smashing.
0:39:23 > 0:39:31'Outside, the garden is taking shape, but the house is struggling to take it. So is Oliver.'
0:39:33 > 0:39:41Everything is happening on top of each other. We've got decking going out, I need to get pictures....
0:39:41 > 0:39:47The logistics are an absolute nightmare. The house is like 3.7 metres wide, which is very narrow.
0:39:47 > 0:39:52We've got one door in and too many people, but we need those people.
0:39:52 > 0:39:57'The turnout today is unbelievable and it's crazy in here,
0:39:57 > 0:40:02'but the sheer number of people means it's getting harder to get anything finished.'
0:40:02 > 0:40:08- It's going to take all night because it's mobbed. - I agree. I've got to take control.
0:40:08 > 0:40:14- This is ridiculous. Does everybody up here need to be up here? - We're coming down.- Lovely, thanks.
0:40:14 > 0:40:21I'm going to clear this room to give the chippies half a chance or everybody else can't carry on.
0:40:21 > 0:40:25For the next half an hour, let's keep out.
0:40:25 > 0:40:31- I don't want these to get damaged. - Everybody has a problem, Oliver! Keep out of the room! Everybody!
0:40:34 > 0:40:38'Maybe I was a bit harsh on Oliver, but he's not giving up.
0:40:38 > 0:40:43'With all this madness, he's still determined to make it beautiful.'
0:40:43 > 0:40:49So what we're doing is cutting rectangles of paper, all sizes - some big, some small -
0:40:49 > 0:40:54and then we'll paste them directly onto the wall, slightly overlapping.
0:40:54 > 0:40:58We create a kind of patchwork of nice shades of blue.
0:40:58 > 0:41:00That'll keep it relatively calm.
0:41:00 > 0:41:03It's foolproof - I hope!
0:41:03 > 0:41:10'Time to make amends, but my mum said if you haven't anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.'
0:41:10 > 0:41:16When you look at the whole thing, it's got this energy and chatter, like a family at a dinner table.
0:41:16 > 0:41:21- That's how I'd explain it. - Adam, what do you reckon?
0:41:21 > 0:41:26- It's growing on me.- Is it?- Yeah. - Really?- Yeah.
0:41:26 > 0:41:28Not you?
0:41:28 > 0:41:34If we just wallpapered this, it would be quite formal. This is about getting rid of that stress
0:41:34 > 0:41:40and saying this is a lovely space where nothing's wrong. It's family time, you sit round the table,
0:41:40 > 0:41:44and this reflects that kind of richness.
0:41:44 > 0:41:50'Whatever you think of Oliver's wallpaper, you can't argue with that. Over the last nine days,
0:41:50 > 0:41:57'we've seen what a community can do if they pull together. It's amazing to see the effect on everyone,
0:41:57 > 0:42:01'not least family friends Heather and Christina.'
0:42:01 > 0:42:05- So?- Absolutely astonishing. It's phenomenal.
0:42:05 > 0:42:10It's going to change their lives just so significantly.
0:42:10 > 0:42:14- This is an answer to their prayers. - It is.- And Davina, well,
0:42:14 > 0:42:21I can't even explain what it means to her with the girls for the future. It's massive.
0:42:21 > 0:42:26Amazing what a community can do in nine days. They CAN pull together.
0:42:26 > 0:42:31It reinforces your belief in humankind. A big thank you, really.
0:42:31 > 0:42:35- Thank you is never enough. - A kiss would help?- Yeah.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39- I hope my husband isn't watching! - I'll kiss the other side.
0:42:39 > 0:42:43- Thank you.- You're such a tart. - You want one from Nick now!- No!
0:42:46 > 0:42:50'Funny - that wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be.
0:42:50 > 0:42:54'After what I can only describe as one of the craziest days we've had,
0:42:54 > 0:43:00'just look what Jeremy and the boys have achieved in the garden.'
0:43:00 > 0:43:06These guys have worked absolute miracles and this is turning into quite a lovely little garden.
0:43:06 > 0:43:12- How's it been? Probably one of your tougher jobs?- It's one of the best times I've had at work.- Really?
0:43:12 > 0:43:18Yeah. Everyone has been so calm. I can't believe there's been no fiery tempers.
0:43:18 > 0:43:23- The only person who's lost it is me! - It wasn't my place to say that, was it?
0:43:23 > 0:43:26- No...- I agree, though.
0:43:28 > 0:43:34- Yeah...I lost the plot a little bit earlier.- But we'll water it and leave you to it.
0:43:34 > 0:43:40- You'll come back to see the family? - Absolutely. Love to.- You have done an amazing job. Thank you.- Pleasure.
0:43:40 > 0:43:42Smashing, smashing.
0:43:49 > 0:43:56'Just nine days ago we arrived to find a family who were fast reaching crisis point.
0:43:56 > 0:44:02'Eric's ongoing battle with Motor Neurone Disease meant their home, once a sanctuary for the family,
0:44:02 > 0:44:05'was fast becoming somewhere loaded with danger.
0:44:05 > 0:44:11'As Eric's condition worsened, they had no way of making the house safe for the challenges ahead.
0:44:11 > 0:44:17'Along with this, the small size of the house meant it was unfit for a family of five,
0:44:17 > 0:44:23'with Layla still sleeping in with Mum and Dad - far from ideal with Eric's worsening condition.
0:44:23 > 0:44:28'It was a situation that we could have never solved on our own
0:44:28 > 0:44:32'and it was only done with the help of an army of local Enfield trades.
0:44:32 > 0:44:37'Amazingly, in just over a week, we've turned this house into a home.
0:44:39 > 0:44:44'We've re-ordered the layout downstairs to make the living room open plan.
0:44:44 > 0:44:49'It has a sleek, contemporary feel with accents of colour on the cushions
0:44:49 > 0:44:53'and the room's centrepiece - the stunning patchwork armchair.
0:44:53 > 0:44:58'We've created a new office area displaying Eric's cricket stuff.
0:44:58 > 0:45:03'For Davina, it was important to keep memories of Eric's sporting days alive
0:45:03 > 0:45:07'and make a feature of them. The old kitchen is now ultra-modern
0:45:07 > 0:45:13'with a new extension creating this fantastic dining area which the whole family can sit around.
0:45:13 > 0:45:18'Even Oliver's wallpaper montage has turned out pretty good in the end.
0:45:19 > 0:45:24'We've widened all the doorways to make the whole downstairs wheelchair-friendly.
0:45:24 > 0:45:31'The garden has been transformed with new turf, plants and a decked area allowing Eric access.
0:45:31 > 0:45:38'Upstairs, the second bedroom has been cleverly divided into two separate areas for Jodie and Layla,
0:45:38 > 0:45:40'allowing them each a private space.
0:45:40 > 0:45:47'The old family bathroom has now become a wet room with shower area and special loo
0:45:47 > 0:45:51'so Eric can be independent for as long as possible.
0:45:51 > 0:45:55'Eric and Davina's bedroom is now a romantic and sumptuous space
0:45:55 > 0:46:01'with this special orthopaedic bed which Eric can adjust to find the most comfortable position.
0:46:01 > 0:46:08'The old attic has now been transformed beyond recognition. We've created a bedroom for Summer.
0:46:08 > 0:46:14'The simple, vibrant colours are offset by these cool, science-themed prints,
0:46:14 > 0:46:17'which is Summer's favourite subject at school.
0:46:17 > 0:46:23'And we fitted this special lift to allow Eric independent access upstairs safely in his wheelchair.
0:46:23 > 0:46:27'It's a brilliant system which tucks away neatly on the first floor,
0:46:27 > 0:46:30'minimising the impact on the space downstairs.
0:46:30 > 0:46:36'The challenge we had was to design a home that came up to scratch in meeting Eric's medical needs,
0:46:36 > 0:46:42'but also the needs of a growing family to create an environment to live as normal a life as possible.
0:46:42 > 0:46:47'A home which they could all call a sanctuary once more.'
0:46:50 > 0:46:56- What was wrong with the house? - I want it to be somewhere safe for Davina and the girls.
0:46:56 > 0:47:03- And for me because I want it to be somewhere...- Where you can join in with family life.- Yeah.
0:47:03 > 0:47:09- I could join in.- We hope we've done everything that you needed. Open your eyes.
0:47:13 > 0:47:18- Oh, my God... - Thank you so much! It's beautiful!
0:47:25 > 0:47:32Oh, I just love all the pictures on the wall. And all the colours, Eric, that I love.
0:47:32 > 0:47:38You've really understood us in such a short space of time. I can't tell you.
0:47:38 > 0:47:42Thank you so, so much.
0:47:44 > 0:47:49Let's try and pick out some of the things. The covers on the chairs
0:47:49 > 0:47:52and on the cushions, you might recognise the logos.
0:47:52 > 0:47:54Oh!
0:47:54 > 0:47:59So you've got your cricket club, ECB England cricket going on.
0:47:59 > 0:48:05We filled the house with pictures of the kids and yourselves.
0:48:05 > 0:48:09It's just so much more than I could ever have wished for.
0:48:09 > 0:48:12And it's so much bigger!
0:48:12 > 0:48:17That's why we took the wall out. Let's show you some of the rest of it, shall we?
0:48:24 > 0:48:26God...
0:48:27 > 0:48:30Oh, this is just so beautiful!
0:48:30 > 0:48:33Oh, my God.
0:48:37 > 0:48:41- Push on through to your dining area. - Oh, look.
0:48:41 > 0:48:46We set it up so you can come and join the dining table. This is the new extension.
0:48:46 > 0:48:51So you've got the space for it. And then there's a side door here
0:48:51 > 0:48:55which we widened and which has a flush floor fitting.
0:48:55 > 0:49:00So you can get out the side, round the back and onto the patio decking.
0:49:00 > 0:49:05- There's your new garden. - Amazing. It looks beautiful.
0:49:05 > 0:49:10It just looks so much bigger. I can't get over it.
0:49:10 > 0:49:15Once the girls are in bed, you guys can wrap up and go and sit on the patio.
0:49:15 > 0:49:19There's lights in the garden so it's all lit up at night.
0:49:20 > 0:49:25When I came in and saw this, I instantly,
0:49:25 > 0:49:31instantly, was flooded with calm. I could just picture myself sitting here looking at my garden
0:49:31 > 0:49:33in a calm environment.
0:49:33 > 0:49:37It is unbelievably well thought out.
0:49:50 > 0:49:56I mean, just to have this so that Eric doesn't fall down the stairs any more...
0:49:56 > 0:49:59I've been so worried.
0:50:00 > 0:50:06And just...haunted by the thought of him falling down the stairs again.
0:50:11 > 0:50:13I'll see you upstairs.
0:50:20 > 0:50:25- Oh, mate. Yes. - All the way from upstairs when you need the loo or whatever,
0:50:25 > 0:50:29you've got it all under control. Let me show you.
0:50:30 > 0:50:32Oh, fab.
0:50:32 > 0:50:37- Fantastic.- Oh, my gosh, that's going to be so much easier!
0:50:37 > 0:50:43- It's just fantastic, isn't it? - The shower, you can wheel in and out. These fold away.
0:50:43 > 0:50:47And the toilet in front of you is a very special functioning toilet,
0:50:47 > 0:50:51which means you don't need anybody to help you.
0:50:51 > 0:50:55- OK? I know it's a big deal. - It is.
0:50:55 > 0:51:01Now the girls have got their bedrooms, it means there's no Layla in your bedroom.
0:51:01 > 0:51:05And we've got one more room to show you, obviously. Come on.
0:51:11 > 0:51:13Oh, my God...
0:51:15 > 0:51:17Oh...my...word.
0:51:18 > 0:51:22It's a proper grown-up room!
0:51:22 > 0:51:25Isn't it? Oh, it's so gorgeous.
0:51:25 > 0:51:29This is our first bedroom, isn't it?
0:51:33 > 0:51:36- I love you.- I love you, too.
0:51:37 > 0:51:41Oh, this is just gorgeous.
0:51:41 > 0:51:46- Do you know what? It sounds a cliche, but you can feel the love in here.- Yeah.
0:51:46 > 0:51:50- I was...I was... - I swear you can.
0:51:50 > 0:51:55You can just feel the love that everyone's...given us
0:51:55 > 0:51:57and it's just...
0:51:57 > 0:51:59It's just beautiful.
0:52:00 > 0:52:05- It's just so beautiful. - I'll leave you to enjoy your room.
0:52:05 > 0:52:08- I'm going to check on the girls. - Thank you.
0:52:14 > 0:52:17Oh, my God! THEY GIGGLE
0:52:17 > 0:52:21- No way!- Wow! - Do you want to see the next bit?
0:52:21 > 0:52:26- In you go. - Oh, my...!- No way! This is...
0:52:26 > 0:52:29- Oh, my gosh! - It's lovely!
0:52:29 > 0:52:36- Look, there's space for Daddy to sit down.- Yeah! We can sit and have breakfast.
0:52:36 > 0:52:40- The wallpaper's lovely. - When I first chatted to you,
0:52:40 > 0:52:47I said should we be doing this house to make it easy for your dad or making nice places for you.
0:52:47 > 0:52:52- And what did you say?- Dad.- Dad. - Have we managed to make it work?
0:52:52 > 0:52:58- Definitely.- It's fantastic for Daddy, but at the same time... - It's all colourful for us.
0:52:58 > 0:53:01It really is beautiful. Amazing.
0:53:01 > 0:53:07- A slightly smaller bathroom is all right?- Fantastic.- OK, who wants to see their bedrooms?
0:53:09 > 0:53:11All right. Out you come.
0:53:13 > 0:53:16Oh, my gosh.
0:53:16 > 0:53:19- This is...- Amazing!- Wow!
0:53:19 > 0:53:23See if you can work it out. Which one is whose?
0:53:23 > 0:53:27- That's mine.- Mine! - Shall we give them a go?
0:53:27 > 0:53:30- Oh, my gosh.- What do you think?
0:53:30 > 0:53:34- I really, really like it. - Do you like the pattern on your bed?
0:53:34 > 0:53:39- Yes.- Is it pretty?- Yes. - What's your favourite bit?
0:53:39 > 0:53:42- The big light L. - You like that? It's pretty cool.
0:53:42 > 0:53:45- And what colour is it?- Pink.
0:53:45 > 0:53:48- What's your favourite colour?- Pink. - I thought it might ne.
0:53:48 > 0:53:55- My favourite bit is probably my J! - You like that, too?- Yeah.- You happy with that?- It's just lovely.
0:53:55 > 0:54:00- I love it.- OK, I'll leave you guys here. You have to come with me.
0:54:02 > 0:54:04- OK, ready?- Ready.
0:54:04 > 0:54:07Open the door and step in.
0:54:07 > 0:54:10Oh, my gosh!
0:54:10 > 0:54:12Oh, wow!
0:54:14 > 0:54:17It's lovely! I love it so much.
0:54:17 > 0:54:19Oh, my gosh!
0:54:19 > 0:54:23It's amazing. Oh, it's so comfortable.
0:54:23 > 0:54:26It's inspirational. It really is.
0:54:26 > 0:54:31- It's fantastic. I really love it. - How will things change now?
0:54:31 > 0:54:35- It's been a really tough time. - I think we'll be happy.
0:54:35 > 0:54:41When the house was how it was before, I have to admit I think we were all really unhappy.
0:54:41 > 0:54:48And, um...yeah, I think we'll all smile now. I think we'll be happy.
0:54:49 > 0:54:51Hey!
0:54:51 > 0:54:52Hello!
0:54:54 > 0:54:56Do you love it? Do you love it?
0:54:56 > 0:54:59Look at you girls! Fantastic!
0:54:59 > 0:55:03- Squeeze!- Hello! Big squeeze!
0:55:04 > 0:55:11OK, listen. You've been very lovely to us and we've really got to know you during the course of this week.
0:55:11 > 0:55:16Seeing you all here as family and all smiling together is what it's about.
0:55:16 > 0:55:21It's a long time since I've seen smiles like that on my girls' faces.
0:55:21 > 0:55:27It's a long time. Those are smiles coming from a deep, deep place of happiness.
0:55:27 > 0:55:31It's fantastic. You guys have created that for me.
0:55:31 > 0:55:36But it's actually not us. We just come in and set the thing rolling.
0:55:36 > 0:55:41A most amazing community of people have come to do this for you.
0:55:41 > 0:55:47So would it be all right if you come outside to meet some of the people that have done this?
0:55:47 > 0:55:50It would be lovely to meet them.
0:55:52 > 0:55:55CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:56:05 > 0:56:08Fantastic! Oh...
0:56:08 > 0:56:10Thanks.
0:56:10 > 0:56:13- I love it, I love it. - Thank you so much.
0:56:13 > 0:56:17Thank you so, so much. So much.
0:56:24 > 0:56:27I want you to...understand.
0:56:28 > 0:56:31You've built not a house.
0:56:33 > 0:56:35A life support machine.
0:56:37 > 0:56:39The only way I could...
0:56:40 > 0:56:45The only way I could thank you is to stay alive...
0:56:45 > 0:56:49and make it worthwhile.
0:56:49 > 0:56:54You've changed... You've changed five lives.
0:56:54 > 0:56:57I was falling.
0:56:57 > 0:57:01You guys... have joined hands
0:57:01 > 0:57:03and caught me.
0:57:05 > 0:57:07Thank you. Thank you.
0:57:18 > 0:57:21Thank you for all your hard work.
0:57:21 > 0:57:25We said upstairs we can just feel the love in the house.
0:57:25 > 0:57:32- We really...we really can feel it. - Yeah.- Thank every single one of you because you're just amazing.
0:57:32 > 0:57:36Any time you want to come round for a cup of tea, please do!
0:57:36 > 0:57:37Yeah!
0:57:49 > 0:57:51- Hey!- My man, my man.
0:57:51 > 0:57:57When you think of giving, you tend to think in terms of money. That helps charities.
0:57:57 > 0:58:01But what these people have done is different. They've given their time
0:58:01 > 0:58:08and nobody understand better how precious time is than Eric. What they have done is make sure
0:58:08 > 0:58:12that the time he has left is quality time to spend with his girls,
0:58:12 > 0:58:18to create memories that will last them a lifetime. That's pretty special.
0:58:18 > 0:58:22Perhaps you know somebody that you can give some time to.
0:58:30 > 0:58:32- They were beautiful.- I'm glad.
0:58:34 > 0:58:37- It's lovely.- My pleasure.
0:58:37 > 0:58:39Thank you.
0:58:43 > 0:58:45Thank you!
0:58:45 > 0:58:48Hello, man. Amazing.
0:58:51 > 0:58:53Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd