The Big Build - Spalding DIY SOS

I made a promise to Dakota when she was born that

I would be there through everything that she goes through.

Dakota Read's condition is so extreme,

her life expectancy is just 15 years.

No mother wants to bury their child.

That's why I want to do everything that I can

to make sure that her life is as long as it possibly can be.

We need to tear down these walls to create more space -

it will help keep Dakota active and extend her life.

And there it was - gone!

Look at the space it's made, look at that.

'We're trying to help a mother care for her daughter,

'but Mother Nature is not on our side.'

You're looking at our problem this morning, which is ice -

it's minus four around here.

Frozen sand.

'But our local army are ready to tackle everything,

'the stuff that makes the house work...'

Seriously, who would want to be an electrician? Look at this.

'..changes the way it looks...'

You not a fan of a textured ceiling?

It makes me go like this... NICK LAUGHS

'..and keeps it standing up.'

In builders' terminology, that's cock on.

We have all the usual suspects with us, but, of course,

we need a small army if this is going to get done,

we need people outstanding in their field.

Oh, look, there they are, out standing in their field.

This is DIY SOS The Big Build!

CHEERING

Oh, outstanding. Out standing in a field.

Oh, yeah!

Welcome to Spalding in the Lincolnshire fens.

Home to 43-year-old single mum Paula Read,

and her three children,

Lachan, Jake

and eight-year-old Dakota.

She is one amazing little girl.

Complications at Dakota's birth nearly killed Paula

and left Dakota with extreme needs.

She's diagnosed as quadriplegic dystonic cerebral palsy,

which basically means that all four limbs are affected

and she can't control the movement of her arms and legs.

She was born with no reflexes at all

so she didn't have a swallow reflex or a gag reflex

and, at that time, we were told that that's how she was going to be.

For the first two weeks she didn't make a sound.

I remember actually asking one of the staff on special care whether

she was actually going to be mute and they said they couldn't say.

Dakota can make basic sounds but she needs 24-hour attention.

Before everything happened with Dakota,

the idea was that she would share a bedroom with one of the other two.

Obviously, that didn't then become appropriate

because of all her medical needs

and the things that she needs doing through the night.

The family do everything they can to support each other.

Mum obviously finds it difficult to do everything

because it puts a lot of strain on her and a lot of pressure

so we've got our own chores and things like that

and do the dishes and clean the house.

We also help with Dakota as well.

If mum's busy at one point, then we help feed her

and suction her and things.

But, at night, Dakota needs professional carers,

one of whom is Jackie.

A child like Dakota is hard work and it takes a lot of patience.

It's not just an ordinary disability

and obviously the bigger Dakota's got, it's harder work.

It may be hard work but it's also rewarding.

She likes it when you sort of grab hold of her

and pull her about and move her arms and wave her legs

and she loves all that, she's just a normal little child really,

it's just understanding her ways

and she's the same as any other eight-year-old child.

But this house is hurting Paula's growing girl.

We've done as much as we can for Dakota,

but when she's at home, most of her life is spent laying

on the floor because she can't sit for any long period of time,

and that is pretty much her life at home,

which is very concerning with regards to her health,

because Dakota was given a life expectancy of 15 years,

but they said that if we could keep Dakota mobile,

then we could potentially increase her life expectancy

by another 21 years on top of that so she could live into her 30s.

But it's just not possible in this house.

Paula's fighting as hard as any mother would for her child.

She knows there is a way that her little girl could live longer,

but Paula can't provide it.

No mother wants to bury their child.

Dakota is eight years old now.

We've been to three funerals of her friends...

..and I can't go there with...

with Dakota.

So, I...

I've got to do anything that I can to provide

that space for her to be mobile

so that I will know then that I've done everything that I can to

not only give her a good life but to give her a longer life, so, yeah.

The whole family have done whatever they can.

When the carers needed a room,

Jake had to move out to a hut in the garden.

It's obviously cold and a bit noisy,

but you just don't think about it, you think about the reason

why I'm doing it so it's made my mum's life a little bit easier,

so it's a bit of peace of mind to see that mum's got a better life.

Dakota has changed this family in ways they might never have thought.

We've had a much better life because of her.

She's just made us all realise what we've got,

and made us realise not to take anything for granted

and things like that, so, yeah, she definitely brightens up our lives.

Obviously, we've heard a little of your story already

and now we've all turned up to start taking your house apart.

It seems unlikely that changing the format of a house layout

can have a direct link to a child's length of life.

Explain to us why that is connected.

If Dakota is left just being able to...

All she can do is lie on the floor or sit in a chair.

As she gets older, her body is going to start compressing down

on her internal organs so in order for that to...

to be helped, she needs to be upright and be mobile,

and so we really need the space for her

to be able to use her walker in the home.

Just for her to have her own freedom around the house,

so she can you know move around like me and Jake,

so obviously she sees me and Jake move around

and it's a bit harsh on her because she can't so...

So best to get you out of here and then we'll come

and have a chat with you later on. Is that all right?

OK, thank you so much, thank you.

Time to move the family out and the build team in

but, first, a few greetings.

Hello, Dakota, how are you?

Pleased to meet you.

Hiya, Jules.

Also, we've got some other friends turn up. Look.

THEY LAUGH

We've got a whole load of new friends. Morning.

-ALL:

-Morning.

-ELECTRONIC VOICE:

-Hello, everyone, my name is Dakota.

Thank you all so much for coming to help me be able to walk in my house.

-We'll see you later, Dakota.

-ALL:

-Bye.

Thank you.

'Right, let's get on with it.'

The trades of Spalding have braved the winter temperatures

and come out in force.

They've left their own families for the chance of helping this mother

and adding whatever time they can to the life of this plucky girl.

To help Dakota keep mobile, we need to create a bit more house.

What's going on here then?

A small extension basically bringing this...

all this front forward and make that room bigger.

-Hence the piece that we've already had built in the bottom there.

-Yeah.

And then all the timber frames are ready to go in.

-That sits on that, does it?

-Yeah, pre-made timber frame, swing it in.

-Extending the roof and everything?

-Oh, yeah, extending the roof.

'Yeah, as if we'd leave it without a roof. Come on, Knowles, keep up.'

This wall's coming out, but within this wall is a chimney breast

that goes right up through the roof,

so all the chimney and chimney breast has got to come down,

that wall is coming out.

If that wall is coming out and this wall is coming out,

there's not much holding everything up is there?

Well, that's why we've got the steels...

-Is there a cross steel going that way as well?

-Yeah.

That's a lot of steel, innit?

A lot of steel, boy, a lot of steel, it's all happening.

It is all happening

and it's all the brainchild of our designer, Gabrielle Blackman.

-We've changed the layout to be more suitable for Dakota.

-Yeah.

And that's one of the main things, and also get Jake back in the house,

so although this house looks lovely and fine,

you know, like a house anyone would be happy to live in,

in fact, it's just not working for this family so,

I mean Jake can't even sleep in his own house at the moment,

so we really need to rethink the whole layout.

And that's exactly what she's done.

So here's Gabby's plan.

To give Dakota room to move,

we're replacing the old conservatory with a small extension.

Removing the redundant chimney and knocking down this wall

and this one means we can create a huge open-plan living,

cooking and dining area for the whole family.

Dakota will be free to roam and take part in family life.

A new entrance arrangement will make Paula's room a haven of calm.

Blocking off part of the old kitchen will create the space to bring

Jake back into the house, whilst leaving him with his own entrance.

The corner of the old kitchen becomes a handy utility room.

By moving the doorway, Lachan gets to keep her privacy.

The carer's room gets a new look and Dakota's bedroom will be

transformed to suit an eight-year-old girl.

Lots to get on with then.

Starting up on the roof and it's going to be freezing up there.

Luckily, I've come prepared.

So I went and got myself a new pair of boots, thermal insoles,

thermal socks, two pairs of thermal socks on.

Are they thermal 2.3 tog rating?

-Tog rating?

-Tog rating on your boots?

-It's 2.3.

-Tog rating?

-Yeah, on the socks, yeah.

-On your boots?

-No, his socks.

-Oh, the socks. Togs on the socks?

-Yeah.

He's wearing a duvet on his feet.

Yeah, basically, they're still in bed.

Basically, they're still in bed.

THEY LAUGH

But the house isn't, and will be exposed to everything

the weather can throw at us, because it's so flat around here.

It's apparently known as New Holland.

I've just found something out, c'mon, c'mon, c'mon.

You know we were saying that this area is called New Holland

-cos it looks a bit like Holland.

-South Holland.

South Holland, because it looks a bit like Holland and...

-Cos it's flat.

-Explanation?

Originally, years ago, well, millions of years ago,

it was joined to Holland and then obviously...

The tectonic plates split away just across the ocean,

but that's why it looks so like Holland,

cos if you actually put the land back together again,

the rivers join up together according to my friend here.

-Have a look at the map.

-Where did you learn that?

-At school.

See, we give you a bit of geography, bit of history,

bit of tectonic plates movement-ology -

-you learn everything on this job, don't you?

-Yeah.

Not sure how accurate it is.

Nonetheless, did I mention how cold it is?

Poor Chris is suffering already.

-I've got really poorly lips.

-Oh, no.

And I went to a garage this morning...

-and look at this, look.

-Oh, Chris

Who makes...?

SHE CHUCKLES

Oh, no. No, don't... That is so scary...

I mean who makes a red...?

You know, you're in pain, you run into the garage

and say, "Have you got any lip balm?" "Yeah."

So I put it on and he said, "You look like one of them

"old birds that put lipstick around their chops."

No, you just stop at the lips, you don't go...

No, no, you don't go all round your face.

I'm not used to putting...

It suits him.

You think so? Really?

I find it slightly disturbing.

Paula's children, Jake and Lachan, are both very active,

and their chosen sport is hockey.

We have our own hockey stars on-site.

You're ice hockey players?

-Yeah, that's right.

-Is that right?

Like properly ice hockey players, cos I was wondering if it was

something the family could do, but they're not necessarily skaters.

Well, I can take them on the ice and take them around the ice.

-Can you?

-It's not a problem.

-Well, even Dakota?

-Even Dakota, yeah.

We could go on the ice and push her around.

-Oh, she'd enjoy that, I think.

-Yeah, I think so.

She loves all that kind of stuff.

'I know someone else who will enjoy that sort of challenge.'

You know how you always go on about your sporting prowess?

Yeah, yeah, I am pretty good at every sport.

And you know how you said that you used to play

for that Canadian ice hockey team?

You coming through? Sorry, just squeeze this way.

The Ottawa Wolves, yeah.

Well, in order to prove the point,

I've organised for you to go ice skating with some guys who play

ice hockey on Monday, and they'll take the family out as well,

so you can take Dakota out on the ice

and give her a little ice skate round.

-I haven't let a goal in in 38 years.

-Is that right?

That's right, that's right, but it just...

To take Dakota will be lovely, it will be amazing.

'Yep, but first, there's the small matter of the build to get going.'

You not a fan of a textured ceiling?

No, it makes me go...

-It makes me go like this...

-NICK CHUCKLES

Now there's a thought,

I know someone who could do with a pair of those.

Go on, then.

The only worrying thing is, though...

Look forward, look forward.

You know the worrying thing is

that he's still too short to skim the ceiling. Look.

Can you reach up and touch the ceiling?

-Just.

-Just!

-Just.

-That's the first time...

-How does that feel, eh?

A big nose looking up at you. Well, looking down at you.

It's an insight into what it's like to be you.

THEY CHUCKLE

To create the space this family need,

we have to get the chimney down and this wall out all in one day

so it's Chris on one side and Jules on the other.

We could have done with this lot

when they were digging the Channel Tunnel.

-Hello.

-Bonjour.

-Welcome to England.

-Thanks very much.

And there it was. Gone.

Look at the space it's made, look at that.

This is now going to be like this one big open area,

kitchen in here, little worktop in here,

worktop there, bedroom over there, all makes sense now, doesn't it?

Good job, lads. Well done, brilliant.

-These guys.

-Yeah, fantastic.

'This is just the sort of back-breaking work the designers,

'well, kind of take for granted.'

I imagine you'd sort of envisaged that,

-when you walked in, you don't see walls?

-I don't.

You don't see walls, you don't see doors,

you don't see windows, you don't see problems.

They're also very easy to remove on CAD,

as opposed to real-life, a little bit harder to move.

Yeah, what just take it out, scrub it out on the computer.

And it's gone.

-Yeah, it's funny how quick that happens compared to real life.

-Yeah.

Thank goodness we've got the magnificent and good looking

people to do the hard graft to turn those plans into reality.

It's just nice to do something for...

for someone who needs the help, really.

I'd like to think that if I needed help one day

that somebody'd help me, so, swings and roundabouts, isn't it?

My wife works in a special needs school as well,

so now I can sort of take...

Take it a bit on board and appreciate what she does.

It's an interesting point though, isn't it, that your wife works

with children all the time and so gives something to the community

and you, now, this is your turn, your opportunity to do the same,

cos I don't know if I could do what your wife does, for example.

No, I couldn't do what she does personally

but she couldn't do what I do, that's why we're all different.

Well, she probably could.

THEY LAUGH

'There are of course two young adults in the family

'who have had to learn how to deal with Dakota's specific needs,

'so I'm off to catch up with Jake and Lachan at their school.'

How have the last few years been?

Obviously, very tough on your mum and especially as that not only

does Dakota have the difficulties she has

but, in giving birth to Dakota,

it caused a lot of problems for your mum.

How does that manifest itself in sort of day-to-day life?

She gets a lot of like back problems and she gets really tired

easily because she suffers from insomnia as well.

Obviously, when she gets a chance to sleep,

although she gets night carers on, she still can't sleep.

She'll often have to get up throughout the night

and see to Dakota three, four times a night.

Dakota will wake up about three o'clock

and Mum just has to stay up and look after Dakota from three o'clock

in the morning then go throughout her normal day and...

Do you think people value ordinary, everyday normality

as much as they should?

No.

I feel that we were a bit like that before though...

Yeah, that's the thing...

I mean, Dakota changed our outlook on life,

so we would look completely different at the world before

she came along, disability and things like that, we didn't

have much of an idea about what it was and what it stops you doing

and how it affects the family, but now we're in that situation,

we know it clearly, we know it quite well, what it can do to families.

So your whole growing-up life has been...

Based around...

..based around your mum looking after Dakota

-and dealing with her own injuries and pain as well?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

That's a lot to take on for you guys.

Yeah, but it's not really a hassle...

You barely notice it, do you?

I mean that's how life has always been for us

-so we don't feel put out at all.

-Yeah.

And you feel love from Dakota?

Yeah.

You know when she's happy?

Yeah, I think that's the best thing, just to see her smile and laugh.

That is, I think, for the whole family, the most rewarding thing.

Does that time limit on her life expectancy

worry you on a day-to-day basis?

Do you think about it or do you just get on with things

and try to put it out of your mind?

I just try to put it out of my mind, cos obviously,

if you do ever think about then it's quite emotional to think about,

so it's quite difficult.

We all realise that Dakota has the life expectancy that she has,

and she may not live much longer,

but we...we're always hopeful that with help from you guys

and help from other people, there's new research and things coming in,

that her life can be improved, she can live a long, healthy life,

so we...

I think we kind of just put it out because we...we hope

and we honestly believe that Dakota will live longer than is said.

I think your mum should be very proud of you, I'm sure she is,

I know for a fact she is cos I've talked to her about you

and she is very proud of you and quite rightly too. I think

that with all that you've got to deal with in your young lives

and for you do it with such good grace is very impressive.

-Thank you.

-Been nice chatting to you.

'You have to be impressed with two such selfless young adults,

'don't you think?

'We've got to make sure the build works for them

'as well as for Paula and Dakota.

'And there are around 50 builders onsite on day one alone

'making sure that happens.'

I think end of the first day is one of my favourite times cos it

just shows how much you can do when everyone's trying really hard.

Despite the freezing temperatures, we have an extension already

and there is a roof actually going on it.

If you come over this side of the room, what's amazing also is

that we're getting plaster going on the ceilings even at this stage.

Well done, gentlemen.

Lovely job in there, looking very good.

And in Dakota's wet room, that's being re-vamped

and the bedroom and so and so forth, lots being done,

but I suppose the biggest change is in here.

Can you just step back, gentlemen, so we can show this?

I'm standing where there used to be a giant chimney,

and now, just look at the size of the room that it's opened up -

this vast area, and that was the key to it,

to give Dakota the room to move around,

you can see it coming together now, can't you?

After just one day, well done, everybody,

give yourselves a round of applause.

Fantastic. A very muted round of applause

cos everyone's wearing gloves, and it's still freezing.

We have made a great start,

but Mother Nature seems intent on holding us up.

You're looking at our problem this morning, which is ice -

it's minus four around here,

which means that the concrete won't go off, the plaster won't go off,

which means the mortar between bricks won't go off,

we've got bricklaying to do today,

so bit of a worry. We're going to have to heat the site somehow,

which is difficult in the open air, isn't it?

Cold equals delay for us, and we haven't got time to delay,

cos we only have eight days left to finish this job.

It's very cold this morning. We're struggling with the plaster,

it's not setting, it's too cold.

I'm going to find Knowlsey, he's full of hot air.

'He's only joking, isn't he?

'Our solution involves gas, and not from the builders.'

This is our solution to our freezing weather problem,

gas canisters, heaters that will blow hot air in under this skirt.

Basically, we've put in an enormous great skirt

around the building in the hope that this hot air will just hold long

enough before dissipating up through the scaffolding and away that

the bricklayers will be able to get their mortar to go off in-between.

But it all depends on just how cold it gets,

gone to minus five now so we'll see how we get on.

But it's going to take more than bricks to hold this house up.

We need some steels and here they are.

What is the point in me being part of the carrying crew?

Really, it just doesn't work, does it?

Well, he is trying to be useful.

Tell you what, I'll take this one, all right?

Yeah, thanks, Mark.

Ready?

One, two, three, in she goes.

'This is serious business.'

-OK!

-Yeah.

-METAL CLANGING

-Whoa, whoa, whoa! That's it.

Getting some support into the house.

The trouble with steels is they are rigid and straight,

which old houses tend not to be but after a great deal of finessing,

with a hammer, Chris gives it the builder's seal of approval.

In builder's terminology, that's cock on, that is.

No, really?

That's the official term, is it? Thanks.

Our heaters do seem to be doing the job,

but they're creating a bit of collateral damage.

Everyone is whinging about how cold it is.

Boiling, they need to get in here.

-You all right, are you?

-Yeah, it's lovely and hot, yeah.

-I cannot believe you.

-I've got my shorts on.

This is the truth - he came to me five minutes ago

and he said, "Got to turn the heater off, man, I am too hot."

Too hot, I was getting too hot, sweating.

The only man on the site complaining about the heat.

That's sweating.

Now, Jake's bedroom will be right next to the kitchen

and I'm a bit worried about noise transfer.

We're putting soundproof board on the partition walls

between the bedroom and the kitchen,

so that when Jake goes in there in his bedroom,

he's got a nice quiet bedroom.

Giving him a perfect cosy room.

It's a flat roof ceiling with no insulation.

Ah, I wondered why you'd gone to ripping it all down.

So we can insulate it and re-plasterboard it.

'Like I said, plenty cosy, but there's still lots to do,

'and the weather forecast says snow later in the week.

'With so much to get stuck into on every build, it's easy to miss

'the attractions an area can offer,

'but I know if Jules just looks out of the window,

'he's going to be made up.'

What's out there in the field?

Cabbage.

Like a bit of cabbage, don't you?

I spotted that, might go and sample some of that in a minute.

'But the cabbage will have to wait.

'I think I've spotted a mistake in our plans.'

-Well, we have an issue.

-Yeah.

According to your plans, you come into the front door with

Dakota in the wheelchair and then you have to do a left-hand turn,

and we have to put a disabled-size door,

a disabled access door in here which opens into the room hugely.

See the plan here.

See, comes in...just over here.

That's the thing there, so what you want to do is,

better still, well, look, here you go.

Wheelchair access coming through

and open the door THIS way so you can actually go

straight on ahead and you don't have that difficult turn to the left.

We need that there because that's the fridge.

-Where's the fridge?

-Here, so that's fine.

Why don't you put it over there?

It's not that far away.

I know but, look.

You stay there, you be the fridge.

Similar size and shape anyway, so I'm...

I heard that, Knowles!

He didn't mean it, he didn't mean it.

So here I am, I'm making a souffle I've got my eggs, I need some milk.

What do you need, Nick?

I need some milk!

I tell you what, I'll go and get the milk.

Hang on a second, I've gone off the idea of souffle, I'm going out.

Do you actually use milk in a souffle?

I don't know. I'm guessing, to be honest.

If this is a dictatorship, I'm not having it.

The cabinets are ordered, it's going where it's going,

you know, it's an American-style fridge.

So you're just going to make a decision like that,

it doesn't matter what the people think.

American-style fridge, but no democracy.

No.

I can't believe I'm having to do this.

-OK, so how far am I here?

-Right over here.

No, but we're not at the fridge yet, babe, we're not at the fridge.

-3.6m.

-Hang on.

Stop it! Stop it!

Sorry, my love, hang on.

NICK CACKLES

She's so easy to wind up.

You broke his tape measure now, Nick.

Just by the door, Nick.

-8.3.

-Shut up, no way!

-I'll go and make sure he's not lying.

-Just check.

It's not 8.3.

What does that say? 8.3?

-That is not 8m.

-Why not?

It's a 5-metre tape.

Yeah, she's rumbled us a little bit!

THEY LAUGH

Oops.

'I guess the fridge will stay

'exactly where she says it will, then.'

So come with me this way.

'Right, time to get sensible because Paula's parents

'have turned up to check on the progress of the build.'

How hard have the last few years been on mum?

Well, it's been a strain on her and she's...she's taken the...

the brunt of it all and she's done an excellent job, you know.

Nobody wants to see their kids die young,

Paula doesn't and she's done everything she's possibly can.

-I...I, you know...

-You're very proud of her, aren't you?

I am, yeah, because she's done...

She's done more than I could have ever done,

I'll be honest with you, nor Jeannie.

We would never have been able to do what she's done.

She puts her before everything else.

Even her own self.

Even herself, and she puts her before her.

How much has it meant to you the degree to which the community

has come together to support her?

Marvellous, the spirit within this country is still there.

The one I knew when I was a kid, and all one needs is to stir it up

a little bit, and you stir it up, I'm pleased that you stir it up,

your programme stirs it up, you know,

and all the guys you've got as your team, they stir it up,

and we're talking on the phone and they come,

they always come over excited about what's going to be on,

and then we catch the excitement as well.

There's a reason we all get so involved -

me, the guys, the builders on-site.

Because we've all got families, too, including Jules.

You know, you always obviously wish for a perfectly healthy child.

My daughter's got a syndrome and that was just like what

they call a mutation, just a blip in the DNA when, you know,

and they say you...

But when something like that happens to you, it's just...

it's just like a natural instinct, really

just to, you know, obviously, you want the best for them, you want

to look after them, you just want to do what you can for them.

When your child has got a problem or an illness,

you just wish you could take it away,

but, of course, you can't, you know?

You'd sooner have it put on yourself than put on your children,

but you don't get that choice, do you?

That's it, just got to crack on and get it done.

'The house is packed with trades,

'all using their unique skills to, well, to help get it done.'

Stuart's up, one of our leccies is up there still crawling around

in the rafters.

See, I don't like electrics, it's like cos it's got teeth.

You get it wrong and it bites you, it's horrible, I don't like it.

But, anyway, happy up there?

Warmest part of the house, I should imagine?

Oh, it's smashing up here.

'In Dakota's bathroom, we're completely redecorating.

'Paula has back problems

'so, to help her, we've tailored the height of the bath to her needs.'

The whole point of raising the bath is so that Paula is...

We've measured the height of it to her waist height so she's

slightly smaller than me, so that she can lean against it and it's

the perfect height to be able to help Dakota in and out of the bath,

whereas it was a little bit low and it makes a big difference.

You're not worried about losing money by coming and helping us out?

No, not at all, no.

Why not?

You could be somewhere warm, you could have a desk job somewhere.

I could do but I enjoy doing this and, whatever you do,

enjoy what you do, because if you don't enjoy it,

you're not going to be happy there.

There you go, you see.

A bit of psychological help with you as well. We do everything here.

Later on in the programme, we'll be doing a recipe,

stay with us until then.

THEY CHUCKLE

Amazing, don't you think?

Halfway through and the build's in full flow.

There is a definite rhythm to the site, you know, you get hammering,

drilling, sawing, it all comes together and it's almost...

almost musical.

See? Just listen to it. It's there all the time.

That track will not be available at Christmas

or any other time of the year.

It's around this stage of the build that the house starts to look like

a home again, so Billy's made time to take the family to the ice rink.

Was he telling the truth about his skating prowess?

What do you think?

I know I talk that I haven't had a goal scored against me

in 38 years, but I haven't played for 38 years either.

'Thanks to her walker,

'Dakota can join the rest of the family on the ice.

'Billy's got a special walker too.

'Lucky then that scaffolders Darryl and Glen are on hand to help.'

Well, you've got to have style.

'And he's as natural as a walrus on the ice.

'Well, he smells of fish perhaps is the similarity there.'

Is Dakota enjoying it? She seems to be enjoying it.

She looks as though she's loving it, absolutely loving it.

We're going to have to make this a regular thing,

coming down on the ice with her.

They look like they've taken to the ice very well,

Lachan and Jake, haven't they?

They seem to pick up any sport, the two of them, it's not fair.

Well, obviously, when I was younger, I was about to say...

Where you going?

Don't move when I'm talking to you.

'And talking of sport, there's one more treat in store out on the ice.'

All right, let me at 'em.

Yep, that is Billy.

Keep your eye on the puck.

I can't even see the puck!

'Still hasn't let a goal in.'

One, two, three.

-ALL:

-Yeah!

'Has now.'

Well done, Dakota.

I'm 63 years old, don't.

I'm an electrician.

'He's getting it now, isn't he? Serves you right.

'Not let a goal in for 38 years, Billy Byrne?

'Billy Bragg more like.'

It may be beautiful to look at

but this weather is murder on the build,

and we can't let it hold us up.

Tiles are frozen.

What's the best thing about working in sub-zero temperatures?

Let me think.

I can't actually think of anything.

'I think he's got brain freeze, common in these parts.

'We have an unexpected guest.'

This is very exciting, Billy's old schoolmate who he knew when

he was like 11, and last saw 30-odd years ago has turned up apparently.

Where's he to?

'All those stories, all those claims,

'at last we'll find out - it's Billy's moment of truth.'

You all right?

You haven't changed a bit.

Oh, well, I've always looked old.

You've got to say the same about me now.

How are you, Pete? You all well?

We were best buddies from 1961-65 at school.

He was the top mod in Welwyn Garden City.

The top mod?

Yeah, he had a fishtail parka, Vespa XS,

remember your red Vespa XS?

Look, I'm not even saying it...

He's claimed all this for years and...

-Everybody knew him, everybody knew him.

-Is that right?

They won't believe me that when I used to go out,

girls used to find out where I was going that night and...

And turn up.

-Is that actually true?

-Yes, yes seriously.

I think we'd probably best leave them to it,

or we'll be here a while.

It's worrying though after all these years of taking the mick,

it turns out all the stuff he's been claiming is true.

THEY LAUGH

Aw, bless him.

Now, we're battling the elements to stay on track with the build,

and that means doing everything we can to speed up drying times,

we simply can't wait.

So the roof is getting its own blanket,

but it's too cold inside as well,

which is why we've got heaters in every room.

They were supposed to grout these tiles this morning

and they've put them back half a day and it's put us back

at least two or three hours, but that's what the weather does to you.

We'll soldier on though.

Gabby's so impressed with these plasterers,

she's left her shadow to do the designing

while she takes a little time out to...

Well, you know what's coming up.

That is so terrible.

You will make this better, won't you?

Because this is the worst thing I've ever seen.

How can this be so wonky?

Isn't she the one who doesn't like textured ceilings?

Gabrielle, what are you doing?

You better be really worried, mate, cos look,

I've done a bit of plastering, I'm a natural.

I always say you need a second vocation in life, so when

the designing goes all Pete Tong you can double up as a spread.

-How much practice do you think I need?

-23, 22 years.

We're helping a mother and her child.

When Paula needed somewhere to stay while we do the build,

she turned to her own parents, because parenthood never stops.

Do you ever just feel like not getting out of bed in the morning?

A lot of times. A lot of times, but you know when...

When I see Dakota, Dakota and the other two children,

they are my reason to get out of bed, they are my reason to keep going.

I made a promise to Dakota when she was born that I would be there

through everything that she goes through, whether that was out of...

-That's just you and her laying in the hospital bed?

-Yes, yeah.

Whether that was born out of the guilt side of things,

I don't know, but that's always been the way.

When I look at Dakota, every day is worth it. When she smiles,

when she achieves just a minute step, when she made her first sound,

just little things like that far exceed, for me, with the other two

like when they learned to walk which is great when you're a parent,

when your child gets up and takes their first steps.

But, for Dakota, for her to actually...

For her to make that first sound was incredible.

Um, so...

There's an amazing connection I've noticed between Lachan

and Dakota, they sort of have a conversation with their eyes,

and Jake's moved out of the house into the garden

to give room for the carer.

They're amazing, those two, aren't they?

I couldn't do this if I didn't have them.

Um, they are...

They are the main part of my support network and they're brilliant.

I think where they've missed out on is my time

because I have to spend so much time with Dakota.

They don't complain, though,

and they're incredibly well balanced young adults.

They never complain, not about that, no.

-That's pretty special in itself, isn't it?

-Yeah.

It's a unique relationship that I have with Dakota,

she's so dependent on me and my life revolves around her care.

I think you get into a situation which is why

I was desperate to have the home open-plan

because the thought of that...

relationship ending at 15...

in a few years' time, that's just not, that's not thinkable for me.

And so that's why I want to do everything that I can

to make sure that her life is as long as it possibly can be.

-And as happy as it can be.

-Absolutely, yeah.

With just a few days left, we're managing to stay on track.

Paula's new kitchen is going in.

Her bedroom must be looking good by now, too...

What's going on?

-Battening it out.

-Why are we battening out?

Put some facing ply on the front.

Why are we putting facing ply on the front?

Tongue and groove for decorating panels.

-Tongue and groove?

-Yes, decorating panels.

I thought they were only used in saunas or bathrooms?

I think they've made a mistake,

the chippies have made a mistake in the front bedroom, they're

like battening the wall cos they're putting tongue and groove on it.

Yes, they are. And it's going to look lovely.

Look, she wants a vintage look

and we've got a lot of wallpaper going on already so we just need

something lovely for the walls, and that's going to be it.

Really?

I suppose we'll see.

Mother Nature is still against us, but our trades have superpowers.

Bendy Ben in here is British Champion kickboxer, isn't it Bendy?

Yeah, second in the British Championships.

Ben reckons he can get his foot over the head of anyone in the team.

I heard that.

Oh, he hit me in the head.

Right, now you.

Well, if he can do him, he's going to do me so...

-Come on!

-I'm not a challenge!

Don't move, Bill.

Oh, that was right over my hand as well.

-Have you done it?

-Yeah, he's done it, done it.

Come here, see the geezer out there?

Never turn your back on a spark.

This floor will mean Dakota has the maximum space available

to move around thanks to the hoist we're installing in

the reinforced ceiling.

A special sling will take her weight as she gets bigger.

She just goes and the hoist moves with her.

So no matter where the furniture is or whatever,

she can actually make her way down the room and be...

Yeah, she could do.

-Move around things and move...

-Yeah.

-It's good, isn't it?

We are so close to finishing

but, with just a couple of days to go, the snow arrives.

Will anybody be able to make it in tomorrow?

This is getting ridiculous.

Tell you what, there's no way we're going to be stopped,

the weather has been against us, we've had snow,

we've had freezing temperatures, but we still managed to turn out

30 blokes on site today, and women, all turned in for the job.

We're finishing the drainage, we're finishing the decoration,

the kitchen is in. Tell you what, we will NOT be stopped.

Look at this, the decorators are in.

The weather can throw what it likes at us, we shall not be moved.

What a team!

-You've never met any of the gang you're working with?

-No, no.

We had one gang of decorators come along, never met each other before,

and then they formed a partnership and went to work together full-time.

-Oh, really?

-Yeah, happens a lot.

-Oh, I don't know about that.

Gabby says she's got a treat for me in Jakes' bedroom.

This is blue.

We've painted a room a colour!

-There's lots of colour in this house.

-Is there?

-Do you like it?

I love it. I don't know what to say.

-I don't know what to say.

-I'm quite emotional, this is...

-I'm sorry, what did you say?

-Well, it's the...

I think it's the first time we've used a colour this series.

That's probably a little unfair.

Outside, the lure of the cabbage has grown too strong

for Jules to ignore. He's spoiled for choice.

-Oh, we'll stick with that one.

-That one.

Slice him off down there.

Look at that bad boy.

Get in the heart of that one, look.

Right, let's go and pop it in the pot.

Mm, see, you can't get no better than that.

From the field to the plate within the hour.

Reminds me so much of home.

If you want to grow a Julian that's what you need - greens and tatties.

Back in the house, there seems to be a problem with the lights.

Stop messing around, Bill

See, I knew it.

Oh, it's you.

His little face. I said, "Do you want a cup of tea?"

He said, "Go away, I'm concentrating."

The extension may be up, but we haven't finished with it yet,

they don't make matching bricks any more,

but that won't stop our trades, we'll find a way.

We would like this building here

to end up the same colour as this building here,

and this is how we're going to do it.

Young man!

They're going to stain to match every single brick.

So by the end of today, this will look like this.

I'd come back later if I were you - they'll be a while doing that.

Not you, I mean, stay there and watch,

we'll come back later is what I mean.

Last day and it's all about design, you know pictures, curtains.

You're using apple crates and things?

Basically, yeah, that's all they are, bit of a design feature.

When we were talking about the design for this room, we really

wanted to make this room feel really special and really personal to Jake.

-Yeah, and like a proper, you know, proper...

-Man's cave.

-Man's bedroom.

And by using apple crates and things it makes him feel like

he might still be a little bit in the shed.

She doesn't like me very much at this stage of the day.

It's incredible, isn't it, everywhere we go the generosity

and willingness to help is incredible.

So anybody else around the country

who is thinking about getting involved

when we turn up in their area to do it, would you say it was worth it?

Definitely, definitely get involved, get stuck in and enjoy it.

One person enjoying himself is Bendy Bill.

You all right there, Bill?

Yeah, I didn't know I could get in that position any more.

Everyone involved here is determined this house will be the best

it can be for Dakota, her mum and the rest of the family.

They're still here, look. Dark, snowing, hungry, freezing.

That's why SOS works, seriously. That's why it works.

I didn't think we'd do it.

It's been a real struggle in these temperatures.

Not one complaint from any tradesperson,

Not one complaint, what an amazing team.

Absolutely lovely guys.

Just nine days ago, the corridors and tiny rooms of this house

were a dead-end, threatening to cut Dakota's life short.

Now, thanks to the efforts of over a 100 trades,

builders and suppliers, it's an open invitation to explore.

This beautiful kitchen/dining/living area

comes complete with hoist system.

Dakota can wander to her heart's content

while Paula's free to get on with day-to-day life.

It may be a small extension, but it's made a massive room.

A corner of the old kitchen is now an essential utility room,

we've even recycled Paula's old units.

The tired family bathroom has had a facelift

and, boy, what a facelift it is.

Complete with shower.

We've moved the door to Lachan's room so she can keep some privacy

in a grown-up bedroom, fitting for a young lady.

The carer's room has been transformed into a suitable den

complete with study area for Jake and Lachan.

Dakota's room has been completely re-designed.

It's no longer a baby room

but a space fit for a growing eight-year-old girl.

A notice board brings everyone into her room with her.

The bath has been raised to help Paula's back,

and new tiles give the whole room a brighter, happier feel.

A new wall means Jake gets his own space back in the house,

and those crates will certainly make it feel like home

after he left the shed.

He also has his own entrance, ideal for a teenager.

And the new layout gives Paula a calm space away from the rest of

the house, and yes, the tongue and groove does work, doesn't it?

We can't solve Dakota's problems, but thanks to the wonderful

trades of Spalding we can take the home off Paula's mind.

-What did you need?

-Space.

-Space?

-Yes.

Which was kind of difficult with the layout of the house as it was.

Yes, definitely.

Well, a lot of people have done their best

to make this work for you.

I hope you like what they've done.

Three, two, one...

open your eyes.

Oh, my...

It's incredible.

Absolutely incredible.

It's pretty cool, isn't it?

You know, everybody says it never looks like the same house,

but it doesn't.

Absolutely love it.

Do you know where you are in the house?

Well, that's what I'm trying to figure out, really. I'm sort of...

-Your chimney used to be in here.

-Yeah.

And then we've taken the chimney out

to create the kitchen, which has kind of changed the space

and shape, but it means it's all open-plan.

It's stunning. Honestly, thank you so much, it's really...

This track system that means that no matter where you are in the room,

Dakota has full access and can walk around.

Oh, wow.

So, despite the freezing conditions and the snow and the ice,

which made it a really interesting build, they've really,

really worked hard to create the best possible environment for you.

Oh, it's amazing, absolutely amazing.

She'll actually be part of the family -

we'll all be able to be in the same room together, which is amazing.

So we've given the family bathroom a bit of a re-vamp.

-A shower!

-Yes.

-Fantastic.

-Pretty cool, huh?

-Really good. George.

Yes, the dog.

This is the carer's room.

Wow.

-Oh, they'll love this.

-It's pretty cute, isn't it?

And it also provides the space for the kids to study.

Yes, a study space and a carer's space.

It's more than I could ever dream of.

Well, Dakota's room and the bathroom obviously are the shape

and size they are because they've already been done,

but we couldn't come in and do the place without actually adding

a little sparkle into her life as well, so would

you like to come through and, we've just done a bit of decorating there.

Oh, it's fab.

Well, we know that she loves her pink,

but she's also, you know, she's also growing up so it has to be

something that will actually, you know, grow with her.

It's brilliant, really, really good.

-She'll like it, you think?

-Oh, she'll love it, she'll love it.

We changed it a little bit.

That is...

We thought it needed modernising and updated, as beautiful as it was...

-No, it was too dark.

-Do you think?

-Yeah.

-Do you know that's what Gabby said.

-Yes, it was way too dark.

And, I don't know whether you noticed the other slight difference.

The bath height. It's absolutely brilliant.

I won't have to bend over so much now with my back.

-Was it causing you a problem?

-Yeah, a huge problem.

That's why you got the very strange request from Gabby

during the week, to measure directly to your hip bone height,

so to create exactly the perfect height to make this work.

It's absolutely fantastic. I love it.

So that's Dakota taken care of,

and the needs that you have taken care of.

I need to show you something. Come with me.

There you go, little room for you.

Stunning.

Wow, I've always wanted patchwork.

Well, my worry with patchwork always is that it can look a little

bit granny, and you're anything but granny,

but it's actually it's a very beautiful, modern patchwork, isn't it?

It is, it's absolutely fantastic, to just be able to chill out

and sort of away from the noise, absolutely fantastic.

I couldn't want for any more than this.

OK, so let me come over and join you then,

marks out of ten for the whole thing?

There's just no...

Ten isn't even enough, it is just so stunning, the whole place.

What you've done here is just going to give us such a better life

and, for Dakota, you've given her the chance of a life -

that's how much it means.

That...for however long I've got her, you've done what

I could never have done, it was the one thing I couldn't give her,

I couldn't give her the ability to be mobile in her own home,

but you've done that and I just don't know how to say thank you.

Would you like to open your eyes?

-I would.

-OK.

Oh, wicked.

-That's cool.

-It looks so different.

That's awesome.

It doesn't really look like our house, really.

It's completely different.

And so it can go sideways and... That's really good.

That is so cool.

-Full length of the room, full width of the room.

-The whole area.

How's that?

Oh, that is amazing, Oh, she got it perfect.

That's incredible, thank you.

-Pretty cool, isn't it?

-It's so cool.

Awesome, I've got my own room.

Ah, feels good.

-Pretty good, eh?

-Feels awesome.

A nice house.

-It's cool.

-It's so cool.

It's well cool. Dakota's going to love this.

Whose house is this?

Whose house is this?

You'll be able to use your walker in here now, won't you?

You'll be able to come and see Mum in the kitchen.

-We can do some cooking, can't we?

-See me in the kitchen. Yeah.

This is your bedroom.

Look at this.

Look at that. Do you like your bedroom?

Yes.

-Good.

-She likes that.

This is your new bathroom. Look at this.

Look at how big that is now.

Look at your bath now, you going to have a bath in there?

Going to have a bath in there?

See, it's wow, isn't it?

Lovely bathroom, yeah.

She certainly seems to be really happy with the place.

Yeah, obviously looking around and taking it all in, I think it's

obviously quite a lot for her to take in, it's quite different.

-It is, isn't it?

-Yeah, but you can tell she loves it.

Well, there's not much more to do other than to have a little chat

with the people that did the built.

Thank you so much for what you've done.

She needed the space to keep her healthy and I couldn't do that

and you guys have all come along and you're just amazing.

Words can't express how much this means to us. Thank you.

RECORDING: 'Thank you so much, everyone, for working on my house.

'I love my new bedroom, and now I can use my walker anywhere in the house.'

Laurie, do you want to step forward and join us for a second.

The quality of life that you've given to our granddaughter...

is dramatic, this is a dramatic day for them,

because you are the... Can I say, you're the best of the guys

and we're so proud not only of my daughter and my family,

we're so proud of you guys.

Never have so few owed so much

to so many.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you. Thank you very much

All right. OK, it's been a pleasure.

-What do you think of your decor in the room?

-Love it.

-Hiya, I did the tiling in the bathroom.

-It's superb.

I think the biggest surprise for me in becoming a parent was

the amount of responsibility, there will always be somebody in the world

more important than yourself, and that's such a huge change.

It means, of course, as a parent that you will do whatever it takes

to make things better for your child, but sometimes you can't do it

all on your own and you need the help and support of your community.

Paula needed some help, and here they all are,

having turned out en masse in the freezing cold to make a change.

Maybe you know somebody who needs your help.

Take a look at this video sent to us by the family

just a few weeks after the build.

It just goes to show the work these people have done

is already making a difference.