0:00:02 > 0:00:05He's had a lot of his life taken away from him.
0:00:05 > 0:00:08We want to give him back as much as we possibly can,
0:00:08 > 0:00:12not stuck in a bed in a care home all his life.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15We're here to help a family get their son back home.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18'I can look after him better.'
0:00:18 > 0:00:21I can take him out in the chair.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24We can't do - we just go and see him.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26'From praying for him to be alive...'
0:00:28 > 0:00:30..we now want him home.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33To care for a son who's been robbed of his future.
0:00:33 > 0:00:35'He's 36, he's only a young man.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37'He's still got the same heart.'
0:00:37 > 0:00:38It's just that his body
0:00:38 > 0:00:41doesn't function in the same way as it used to.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45This is a family that desperately needs to heal before it's too late.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48'I think people...'
0:00:49 > 0:00:51..people on the outside don't see
0:00:51 > 0:00:55how it's affected both my parents, but especially my father.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57'I don't cry in front of Mark.
0:00:57 > 0:01:00'I know he knows that I do cry,'
0:01:00 > 0:01:02but I don't like him to see it.
0:01:02 > 0:01:05I can look after him better.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07Cos I'm his dad.
0:01:07 > 0:01:08And it's my job.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16We're in Wigan to build a home that brings this family back together.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23With a flamboyant designer and just nine days,
0:01:23 > 0:01:26we don't expect an easy ride.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29It's not just an issue of coverage, is it, Laurence?
0:01:29 > 0:01:31It's an issue of authorship, Nicholas.
0:01:32 > 0:01:36We need the usual suspects of course, and we need a small army.
0:01:38 > 0:01:39We need a small army!
0:01:39 > 0:01:41- Mate, they're over there.- Ah!
0:01:43 > 0:01:45Are you up to do a job that's almost impossible?
0:01:45 > 0:01:47ALL: Yes!
0:01:47 > 0:01:50This is DIY SOS: The Big Build!
0:01:50 > 0:01:52CHEERING
0:02:04 > 0:02:09Wigan, near Manchester, is home to the Burrows family.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12That's retired scaffolder, Frank, and Christine.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15They've been happily married for nearly 40 years.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20They have two grown-up children -
0:02:20 > 0:02:25Michelle, who's expecting her first child, and their son, Mark.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28Mark was a bit of a jack-the-lad, weren't he?
0:02:28 > 0:02:33He was a nightclub manager, and he loved his job.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37And he loved the outdoor. Absolutely adored the outdoor.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41Fishing and camping - that was his whole summer.
0:02:42 > 0:02:44He was a very loving son.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47I was so proud of him.
0:02:47 > 0:02:50Mark moved back in with Frank and Christine in 2011,
0:02:50 > 0:02:55in their small two-bedroom bungalow, when he lost his job.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59The garage became his storage, and he moved in the bedroom there.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03And, um...
0:03:03 > 0:03:06life was good, because the prodigal son had returned home,
0:03:06 > 0:03:07if you like.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11I got Mark a job working for my company as a scaffolder.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15- It was a turning point, yeah. - It was good.
0:03:15 > 0:03:16He was happy, yeah.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22A month later, Mark's life was to change for ever.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28In the April of 2012, Mark went to Sheffield for a night out.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33He got into an argument with three football supporters.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38A single punch was thrown, and Mark fell badly,
0:03:38 > 0:03:41hitting his head on the pavement.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43He was rushed to hospital.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45AMBULANCE RADIO TRAFFIC
0:03:47 > 0:03:50The fall caused massive brain injuries.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53Frank and Christine drove the hour and a half to Sheffield
0:03:53 > 0:03:56whilst doctors battled to save him.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02Longest journey of my life, and we didn't know much then.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08It was made quite clear, 7:00 in the morning,
0:04:08 > 0:04:11that they came to us and said,
0:04:11 > 0:04:15"Your son is alive, but he is utterly and totally different now,
0:04:15 > 0:04:18"and he will be for the rest of his life."
0:04:19 > 0:04:24There he was, this lean, fit young man with a tan,
0:04:24 > 0:04:29cos he'd been on holiday, and he looked normal, natural,
0:04:29 > 0:04:32apart from everything else, and we looked at him, and...
0:04:35 > 0:04:36(Come on, love.)
0:04:39 > 0:04:40I've had my heart ripped out.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43That's what I feel like.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47That someone's just taken him away.
0:04:49 > 0:04:51And I keep kicking myself as to why.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55As healthy as he was.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59Why it had to happen to him...
0:05:00 > 0:05:01..and not me.
0:05:03 > 0:05:04I miss him so much.
0:05:07 > 0:05:09Mark is now severely brain damaged.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12Although he shows signs he understands instructions,
0:05:12 > 0:05:17he can't speak or move, and is reliant on carers 24 hours a day.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24As soon as he left hospital, Mark went to live in a care home.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26He recognises family when they visit,
0:05:26 > 0:05:31but he's had to remain in a home ever since his incident.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36We see him every single day, we are his main stimulation.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38He relates to us.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41Now, don't get me wrong, they are doing a marvellous job.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45But we are his family, and we want him home to live with us,
0:05:45 > 0:05:47not stuck in a bed in a care home all his life.
0:05:49 > 0:05:52Frank and Christine live in a modest bungalow,
0:05:52 > 0:05:53but having been made redundant,
0:05:53 > 0:05:56they're struggling to raise the funds they need
0:05:56 > 0:06:00to convert their home for Mark's needs, so he has to remain in care.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04It doesn't work for a disabled person.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08We can't get him through the door.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10If you do manage to get him to the bedroom,
0:06:10 > 0:06:13there is nothing at all that we have to lift him onto the bed,
0:06:13 > 0:06:16there is nowhere for him to have a shower,
0:06:16 > 0:06:18there is nowhere for him to have a bath.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20He means everything to us.
0:06:20 > 0:06:24He is our son, he's a part of this family.
0:06:24 > 0:06:27He's had a lot of his life taken away from him,
0:06:27 > 0:06:29and we want him home to live with us.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32I can look after him better.
0:06:32 > 0:06:33Cos I'm his dad.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35And it's my job.
0:06:40 > 0:06:41Sorry.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45It's almost like you need us
0:06:45 > 0:06:48- to build a little extra house on the side rather than...- Yes.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50..do anything, really, with this part of the house.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54That was the idea - he needs to live independently from us,
0:06:54 > 0:06:57although he... he will only be next door.
0:06:57 > 0:07:01And a communal area so we can all kind of meet together in the middle.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03- Right. - And spend time together as a family,
0:07:03 > 0:07:06but he can also have his independence.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10So with us building this sort of interconnected living space,
0:07:10 > 0:07:12is not just about him having space,
0:07:12 > 0:07:16- it's about a potential for recovery, you think?- Of course.
0:07:16 > 0:07:21It's finding the roots and the ways that he can improve.
0:07:21 > 0:07:24We want him to live the most fulfilled life he can,
0:07:24 > 0:07:26and that's our ultimate goal.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30All right, we'll do our best and we'll try and... You know, we're going to have to take away
0:07:30 > 0:07:33a large chunk of your garden and a large chunk of the side of the house.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37- OK.- And it's going to look very different when you come back.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40'This family are determined to get their boy out of the care home
0:07:40 > 0:07:41'and living with them,
0:07:41 > 0:07:45'and it might be a bit of a shock, but we're not doing it alone.'
0:07:45 > 0:07:47- Ooh!- Hey!
0:07:47 > 0:07:50'Yeah, we've got the manpower, but what we don't have is much time,
0:07:50 > 0:07:51'so it's bye-bye, family...'
0:07:53 > 0:07:55- Hello.- Hello, Michelle, hi..
0:07:55 > 0:07:59Nice to see you, take care, Frank, catch up with you later in the week.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01'..and hello new workmates.'
0:08:01 > 0:08:04Would you like to explain who the designer is on this, as well?
0:08:04 > 0:08:06He wafts about a bit, and he's quite fragrant.
0:08:06 > 0:08:10CHAMBER MUSIC PLAYS
0:08:10 > 0:08:11But he's a decent bloke.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16So who's the designer that you're most worried
0:08:16 > 0:08:18that we might turn up with?
0:08:18 > 0:08:20ALL: Laurence.
0:08:20 > 0:08:23THEY LAUGH
0:08:23 > 0:08:25Er...yeah, this looks like it, driver,
0:08:25 > 0:08:27just drop me here, that's fine.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29Yes, that's exactly who's turning up.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31THEY LAUGH
0:08:31 > 0:08:33It is actually. Laurence is coming, look.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36'But the builders are mistaken - he is a man of the people.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38'He's arrived by bus, although that's more to do
0:08:38 > 0:08:41'with the budget we've got these days, to be honest.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43'And he's got off about three stops early.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45'Still, it will give us time to get on with the job.'
0:08:45 > 0:08:48- Name?- Stu.- Stuart.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51'We're a site of highly trained individuals.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53'And Mark.'
0:08:54 > 0:08:55DOG BARKS
0:08:57 > 0:09:00'That's funny. That's very funny!
0:09:00 > 0:09:03'Make sure you pack that skip properly - I want it airtight.'
0:09:04 > 0:09:06It's a big, big, big, big concrete pad, isn't it?
0:09:06 > 0:09:08It's a big concrete slab.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10Also, there was a big building here as well.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13'Yes, we've had to do some prep, so we pulled down the old garage,
0:09:13 > 0:09:16'and poured the concrete so it set in time for our building works.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18'Which we need to happen...
0:09:18 > 0:09:23'well, almost immediately actually, because the designer is now here.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26'Despite looking very much like the Italian love child
0:09:26 > 0:09:29'of Shakespeare and Cher, I am of course very much looking forward
0:09:29 > 0:09:34'to working with the man, and indeed his highly pruned facial hair.'
0:09:35 > 0:09:38What's your overarching theme with this house?
0:09:38 > 0:09:41Well, obviously the big thing we've got to do
0:09:41 > 0:09:44is to unite the generations, cos you've got the parents,
0:09:44 > 0:09:47who've got a very, very specific take on taste,
0:09:47 > 0:09:49and we're not touching their zone, if you like,
0:09:49 > 0:09:53we've got Mark, but we've got that transitional space between the two,
0:09:53 > 0:09:54which they will share.
0:09:54 > 0:09:59'Laurence has designed both his hair and the home in two halves.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02'We're not touching Frank and Christine's side.
0:10:02 > 0:10:05'Instead, the old garage will become Mark's apartment.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09'We'll be extending the original footprint to create a carer's area
0:10:09 > 0:10:11'with pull-out bed and a kitchenette,
0:10:11 > 0:10:15'and at the back, we'll build Mark's bedroom and wet room.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19'The old guest bedroom gets a Laurence-like styling makeover,
0:10:19 > 0:10:21'as does the old dining room,
0:10:21 > 0:10:23'but we'll also make it wheelchair accessible,
0:10:23 > 0:10:26'and we'll be constructing a brand-new communal lounge,
0:10:26 > 0:10:30'accessible from both sides of the bungalow.'
0:10:31 > 0:10:36I want my vision of Mark's space, which is going to be very youthful,
0:10:36 > 0:10:37very energetic, quite...
0:10:37 > 0:10:40It sounds a funny word to use, but sort of slightly Mediterranean,
0:10:40 > 0:10:43and I like this kind of Ibiza look that's around a lot at the moment.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45A little bit industrial.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48So wish me luck, Mr Knowles.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50- Good luck(!) - LAURENCE LAUGHS
0:10:50 > 0:10:52'Yeah, the jury's out on that one, to be honest.
0:10:52 > 0:10:53'Not that it matters,
0:10:53 > 0:10:58'because the unstoppable force that is a Big Build has begun.'
0:10:58 > 0:11:00So that beeping is our delivery,
0:11:00 > 0:11:01so that means materials are coming in
0:11:01 > 0:11:03for us to build the building with.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07And all the noises coming from this side
0:11:07 > 0:11:09means there's a bit of demolition going on,
0:11:09 > 0:11:11so that gives me a happy face.
0:11:13 > 0:11:14See?
0:11:14 > 0:11:16'That's terrifying, isn't it?
0:11:16 > 0:11:18'And he's not the only one, because there are 50 people
0:11:18 > 0:11:23'on site today, all happy to give up their time to come and help out.'
0:11:23 > 0:11:24Where you off to?
0:11:26 > 0:11:29Electricians.
0:11:29 > 0:11:30Where you going?
0:11:31 > 0:11:33We've got to sort the drawing out,
0:11:33 > 0:11:36there's a few things we need to discuss.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39'Unbelievable, they're actually going to a cafe
0:11:39 > 0:11:41just to talk about plans.
0:11:42 > 0:11:44'At least the other trades are cracking on with it.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48'We've got just nine days to do a build that would ordinarily take about three months,
0:11:48 > 0:11:49'so it's going to be a tight squeeze.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51'Frank and Christine's old garage
0:11:51 > 0:11:55'left a very narrow strip for us to build, in between their bungalow
0:11:55 > 0:11:57'and the neighbour's garage wall, there on the left.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59'None of which should be a problem,
0:11:59 > 0:12:02'because Mark's already been out ahead of us and measured up.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04'I am of course being ironic,
0:12:04 > 0:12:06'because he is a fool and always measures wrong.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09'He can't even reach. Look at that - it's embarrassing.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12'We've got just three hours to construct the skeleton of the extension,
0:12:12 > 0:12:15'so we're using pre-constructed timber-framed panels to get ahead,
0:12:15 > 0:12:17'but at the speed of continental drift,
0:12:17 > 0:12:22'our compact Irish colleague has spotted a thinness issue.'
0:12:23 > 0:12:27Just step into the hole there for me for a second, will you?
0:12:27 > 0:12:30Not much room for building a wall, is there?
0:12:30 > 0:12:31Hold on...
0:12:32 > 0:12:36- Argh!- Would you get in there to be able to fix some brick slabs?- No!
0:12:37 > 0:12:41- Ohh!- Oh, you nearly burst. - Nearly popped.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45THEY LAUGH
0:12:45 > 0:12:48He'd be your boy. He's a bit skinnier, isn't he?
0:12:48 > 0:12:50That's true, actually.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52But to be honest, you couldn't get a tool in there.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54- He is a tool.- He is a tool!
0:12:54 > 0:12:56- Hey! - THEY LAUGH
0:12:56 > 0:12:59'So how do we get our rendering tool in there?'
0:12:59 > 0:13:01I've got a suggestion.
0:13:01 > 0:13:02That's the neighbour's garage -
0:13:02 > 0:13:06I was thinking of asking the neighbour if we could prop his garage up on acrow props...
0:13:06 > 0:13:08- And take his wall out. - ..and take the wall out.
0:13:08 > 0:13:09That's a good idea.
0:13:09 > 0:13:13'Yeah, it might sound daft, but it's the only way we're going to be able to save this build,
0:13:13 > 0:13:16'because without a friendly neighbour, we can't make the exterior waterproof.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19'Not that that's stopping the guys from building it.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22'They're ahead of schedule, and, by Jove, they're not stopping for anyone.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26'Ooh, it's a bit tight, isn't it? It really is.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28'So all I have to do now is track down the neighbour,
0:13:28 > 0:13:33'who's out at work, and get them to let us knock down their wall.
0:13:33 > 0:13:35'Hmm.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37'The front is throwing up a few problems,
0:13:37 > 0:13:39'but the back isn't exactly a walk in the park either.'
0:13:40 > 0:13:43What about the garden, then, cos it's a weird old space, isn't it?
0:13:43 > 0:13:46Actually, in design terms, I quite like this.
0:13:46 > 0:13:47The house is so much higher,
0:13:47 > 0:13:50it means you're going to be looking down onto the garden,
0:13:50 > 0:13:52and I want to, I want to use...
0:13:52 > 0:13:56I want to make a very bold kind of swirl shape in the middle of it,
0:13:56 > 0:13:58and then have the planting either side.
0:13:59 > 0:14:03'Laurence wants to make a big feature of the garden,
0:14:03 > 0:14:05'so we're going to create an elongated,
0:14:05 > 0:14:07'wheelchair-friendly resin descent.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09'But with 50,000 tonnes of soil
0:14:09 > 0:14:12'and 30,000 tonnes of hard material to remove,
0:14:12 > 0:14:14'it's not going to be easy.'
0:14:17 > 0:14:20Also, I think circles is going to work very well here.
0:14:21 > 0:14:23'I don't look convinced, do I?
0:14:23 > 0:14:26'Or moisturised, or attractive.'
0:14:27 > 0:14:30When in doubt, get the guns out!
0:14:30 > 0:14:32'Yes, and we're going to need those guns and many more like them,
0:14:32 > 0:14:35'because unfortunately we can't get a digger in,
0:14:35 > 0:14:38'so everything has to be broken and removed by hand.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41'And, of course, they're not doing this just for the love of it -
0:14:41 > 0:14:43'they're doing it for Mark.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45'The hope is that by bringing him home,
0:14:45 > 0:14:48'it will stimulate him and improve his condition.'
0:14:48 > 0:14:50Let's go outside, buddy, go and get some sunshine.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53- Get out in the sunshine, yeah - it's a lovely day for it. - Yeah, it's gorgeous.
0:14:53 > 0:14:57One of Mark's favourite pastimes is coming outside.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00'He's been in a care home now for two years.
0:15:02 > 0:15:06'I've travelled the 20 miles Frank and Christine do every day
0:15:06 > 0:15:08'to visit him and meet his carer, Dave.'
0:15:09 > 0:15:12What's your main interest, Mark, you still interested in music?
0:15:12 > 0:15:17Yeah, loves his music. House music, rave music, things like that. Yeah?
0:15:17 > 0:15:19Well into that, aren't we, mate?
0:15:19 > 0:15:21It's not the big things for Mark, it's the little things,
0:15:21 > 0:15:24you know? Things that most people take for granted.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26It's the small things that make Mark's day.
0:15:27 > 0:15:29When his mum and his dad and his sister
0:15:29 > 0:15:34and people like that come into his life, his smile, you know,
0:15:34 > 0:15:36his eyes light up,
0:15:36 > 0:15:38that's when you realise that there's still somebody there,
0:15:38 > 0:15:43you know, there's still somebody within this body that's trapped.
0:15:43 > 0:15:47For Mark to move home, it's going to be absolutely massive for him,
0:15:47 > 0:15:51it's going to make so much difference to Mark's life as a whole.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56There's no denying that Mark's receiving amazing care
0:15:56 > 0:15:58at the centre - it's just not home.
0:16:00 > 0:16:03This is, or at least it will be, if we can get it done.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09We're pushing on with the build. We'll need to reconfigure
0:16:09 > 0:16:12the space on the bungalow side which means taking down a wall
0:16:12 > 0:16:14to make enough space for a new carer's area,
0:16:14 > 0:16:17kitchen, bedroom and wet room.
0:16:19 > 0:16:20Many hands make light work.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27Should play for the England cricket team(!)
0:16:27 > 0:16:29Well, this really big space is the new building for Mark
0:16:29 > 0:16:32and, as we've said, the trick is to build a new bungalow
0:16:32 > 0:16:35alongside the old bungalow and weave the two together which is
0:16:35 > 0:16:38what this hole is all about here. Once the steels are in here,
0:16:38 > 0:16:41we get to make this space become part of this space and it's all
0:16:41 > 0:16:43woven together despite being, essentially,
0:16:43 > 0:16:46two different buildings. Quite cool, don't you think?
0:16:49 > 0:16:52Taking the neighbour's wall down is a real issue.
0:16:52 > 0:16:56We actually can't complete our build without doing it.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58So this is the man we've been looking for, Karl.
0:16:58 > 0:17:01This is his house, which he's moving into on...?
0:17:01 > 0:17:02Sometime over the weekend.
0:17:02 > 0:17:06- Three days.- But there's a bigger issue, isn't there?
0:17:06 > 0:17:09- There is.- In that we need to take down a wall of your garage.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12So hopefully our plan of attack is we'll get in there, we'll clear
0:17:12 > 0:17:15all the stuff out of your garage and we'll support the roof.
0:17:15 > 0:17:17- Yeah.- Take all that out and do it all brand-new again.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20- That's good.- Yeah?- Yeah, that's fine, I'm good with that.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23Are you a man who likes a man-hug or are you not really...?
0:17:23 > 0:17:25Oh, yeah, I'm always up for a man-hug.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27Thank you very much. Watch out.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30Not you.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32Yeah, I wasn't quick enough to stop that, was I?
0:17:32 > 0:17:34Wouldn't you like neighbours like that?
0:17:34 > 0:17:36People who just say, "Yes, by all means, knock down our garage."
0:17:36 > 0:17:38Which is exactly what we start to do.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44Of course, there's a real goal here
0:17:44 > 0:17:47and that's to bring this family back together.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50They've always been close and, although Mark's sister Michelle
0:17:50 > 0:17:54no longer lives at home, it was her that contacted us
0:17:54 > 0:17:56and asked for our help.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59How are you dealing with it all? Because, as brother and sister,
0:17:59 > 0:18:00you were very close.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04Yeah, we were, we still are and it's hard cos sometimes
0:18:04 > 0:18:10I still go to ring him and forget, erm, that I can't ring him.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14He was always the life and soul of the party, so I still miss him.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17Can you still see Mark in there? Do you know what I mean?
0:18:17 > 0:18:20Yeah, he's still there and he's still the same person.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22He just struggles to communicate, cos he is, he's still
0:18:22 > 0:18:25an individual person, he's still got the same personality,
0:18:25 > 0:18:27he's still got the same heart,
0:18:27 > 0:18:29everything about him is still the same, it's just
0:18:29 > 0:18:33that his body doesn't function in the same way as it used to.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35It's been a disastrous couple of years, hasn't it?
0:18:35 > 0:18:36Yeah.
0:18:38 > 0:18:39Sorry.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46We all have good days and bad days but...
0:18:46 > 0:18:48people on the outside don't see
0:18:48 > 0:18:52how it's affected, erm, both my parents. They don't see
0:18:52 > 0:18:55the hurt that they go through every day, especially my dad.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58He's really... He's really struggled to cope with it
0:18:58 > 0:18:59cos, in a way, as a family
0:18:59 > 0:19:03we've grieved but you're grieving for somebody that's still there.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06When you go to sleep at night and these things go over in your
0:19:06 > 0:19:10head, what is it that you wish for? What's the endgame for you?
0:19:10 > 0:19:15Just for Mark to be happy, it's all about him being independent
0:19:15 > 0:19:20and...and setting up a structure and a life for him that he needs
0:19:20 > 0:19:26in able to grow. He's 36, he's only a young man and he needs to be
0:19:26 > 0:19:28able to develop and grow and he'll have his own place,
0:19:28 > 0:19:32he'll have people that love to be around him
0:19:32 > 0:19:35and he'll just have a good life and be happy.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45It's a new day in a new town and a new van for Billy.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50Seatbelt!
0:19:50 > 0:19:54- Right.- How long have you been driving?- Since 1967.
0:19:54 > 0:19:55Did you pass your test?
0:19:57 > 0:20:01# I've been driving in my car... #
0:20:01 > 0:20:05- Right, don't...?- What's that? HORN TOOTS ONCE
0:20:05 > 0:20:08- Those people are just saying hello. - No, that's two toots.- Yeah.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11Right, that's friendly. One toot's not friendly.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13- You make me laugh.- All right.
0:20:21 > 0:20:23You should have a warning sign, you know.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25YOU should have a warning sign.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28In fact, we're thinking of posting warning signs around every town
0:20:28 > 0:20:30and village that we go to in future.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36At the house, the sparks have started without Billy. No problem,
0:20:36 > 0:20:38they're just getting on with it, as they do.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42But what they are concerned about is Laurence's design reputation.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44Just see how it's going, OK? Good.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46What would your first natural question be
0:20:46 > 0:20:48to Laurence about the design that's coming up?
0:20:48 > 0:20:51Me? What would mine? No, I can't repeat it.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55- Come on! Ask him, no, ask him! - Spit it out, I'm man enough.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58I mean, a lot of it, for me, is...
0:20:58 > 0:21:00Some of the designs, to me,
0:21:00 > 0:21:03go over the top, you know, I suppose I'm just a simple lad.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06Light in the middle and the light down there.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08Well, the nice thing is that there is always
0:21:08 > 0:21:10room on the planet for simple lads such as yourself.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12It sounds like a strange thing to say
0:21:12 > 0:21:14but I want to use a very visible track because he's got
0:21:14 > 0:21:17the track that takes him into the bathroom which I, you know,
0:21:17 > 0:21:19I don't want that to be just an isolated...
0:21:19 > 0:21:21We've got to work round it,
0:21:21 > 0:21:25I want it to be part of the design scheme, I want it to be reflected
0:21:25 > 0:21:27in what we do, so we're going to be doing a lot of track lighting.
0:21:27 > 0:21:31It's quite 1980s, which I like. The 1980s is a slight theme there.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33- Do you remember the '80s? - Oh, just.- Yeah, you see...
0:21:33 > 0:21:35Only a young lad, me.
0:21:35 > 0:21:38You obviously weren't doing them properly if you remember them.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41So are your fears allayed? Or have I made them worse?
0:21:41 > 0:21:43Rub salt into that wound.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45No, no, no, we'll just do whatever you want.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47You can see where they're coming from, can't you?
0:21:47 > 0:21:50Laurence isn't exactly known for his conservative design palette
0:21:50 > 0:21:53but then Mark, who we're building it for, was never that conservative.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56Of course, he loves his music so I can understand.
0:21:56 > 0:21:57So the Ibiza thing, is this...?
0:21:57 > 0:21:59I've really sprung off on the Ibiza thing,
0:21:59 > 0:22:02and I... As you know, I always think it's really, really important
0:22:02 > 0:22:05with all of these schemes that they are sensational design schemes.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07You know, it's a very sensitive issue for me
0:22:07 > 0:22:10because my mother was disabled. She, you know,
0:22:10 > 0:22:12she spent most of her life in a wheelchair
0:22:12 > 0:22:16and one of my big missions in this kind of context is the fact that
0:22:16 > 0:22:18too often it's all just about need,
0:22:18 > 0:22:21so there's no room for that wonderful...
0:22:22 > 0:22:26..help that actually something looking nice can give you as well.
0:22:26 > 0:22:30Yes, he might be wearing more lacquer than a French dresser
0:22:30 > 0:22:31but Laurence has a point.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34This family deserves some good fortune,
0:22:34 > 0:22:35even if it means we have to dig deep.
0:22:35 > 0:22:36Just a second.
0:22:38 > 0:22:39Get my bicep up!
0:22:41 > 0:22:44When it's finished, it's going to be a big apartment, which means
0:22:44 > 0:22:45there's space for friends
0:22:45 > 0:22:49and that's something I'm sure Mark will benefit from.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51You're a friend of Mark's?
0:22:51 > 0:22:55Yes, we've been friends for years, it was just fun 24-7.
0:22:55 > 0:22:59He was always up to mischief, always playing games, stupid things,
0:22:59 > 0:23:01we were always having parties with him
0:23:01 > 0:23:05and... So he was just a really, really genuine, caring guy.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08How has it been for all of his friends since the accident?
0:23:08 > 0:23:11To go to the hospital and see him in a totally different state,
0:23:11 > 0:23:15it wasn't Mark, and to not be able to help him
0:23:15 > 0:23:19and to see him just lying there doing nothing, it has been hard.
0:23:19 > 0:23:20Tough on the family as well.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24Really tough, yeah, they've been torn apart through it all, really bad.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27To bring him home I think he'll come on in leaps and bounds,
0:23:27 > 0:23:32cos when he's around his family, you can see the old Mark coming back.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35Well, that's exactly what we're hoping for.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40Having made a great big hole in the bungalow, the steel's arrived,
0:23:40 > 0:23:43so we can start to patch it up again.
0:23:43 > 0:23:463,960.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48Yeah, that'll do, 3,960.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50Don't let him measure stuff!
0:23:50 > 0:23:53A quick cut down to size and it should go in a treat.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59In at the end...lovely.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04Something that Michelle, Mark's sister, said when I saw her
0:24:04 > 0:24:06stuck with me.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08Christine and Frank have been married for 39 years
0:24:08 > 0:24:11but the last two have really tested them.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14And I wondered how Christine has coped.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19Do you find yourself running through the events that night?
0:24:19 > 0:24:21I think it...
0:24:21 > 0:24:23it just hits you every now and again,
0:24:23 > 0:24:26it just sort of, like, comes over you in a big wave.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28How do you feel now?
0:24:28 > 0:24:31Just that it's unfair. So, so unfair.
0:24:32 > 0:24:34Mark's had a life taken away from him
0:24:34 > 0:24:38but I'm more angry for my husband because he's a broken man.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42He...
0:24:42 > 0:24:46He'd only just come out of hospital when it happened,
0:24:46 > 0:24:48for secondary cancer and I thought
0:24:48 > 0:24:51I was going to lose him at one point. And I knew what would be
0:24:51 > 0:24:53going through his mind would be,
0:24:53 > 0:24:55"They should have taken me instead of him."
0:24:56 > 0:24:59You're worried about Frank, aren't you?
0:24:59 > 0:25:00Very much so.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03He's angry for his son every time he sees him.
0:25:03 > 0:25:04He can't cope at the minute.
0:25:06 > 0:25:11We're together, we're a team and I would say that we've done OK
0:25:11 > 0:25:13but it's been really, really hard.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16So maybe this is the corner turn.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20This is definitely the corner turn, Frank will definitely benefit
0:25:20 > 0:25:25when Mark's home and Mark will be home with his family where
0:25:25 > 0:25:26he's loved and he's cared for.
0:25:26 > 0:25:31He'll be out of one single room that he's been in for two years
0:25:31 > 0:25:35in various hospital organisations and he'll...
0:25:35 > 0:25:39He'll be free. That's how I see it, he'll be free.
0:25:41 > 0:25:42That's what I want.
0:25:46 > 0:25:50It's clear getting Mark home won't benefit just him but all the family.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53We're 800 man hours into the build
0:25:53 > 0:25:56and you can start to see real progress.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58So by the end of play today I can actually call
0:25:58 > 0:26:02- the roofers in to start getting this felted and battened.- Yeah.
0:26:02 > 0:26:06- And the flat room sorted.- Yup. - Brilliant.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08What's not so brilliant is clearing up after Billy
0:26:08 > 0:26:10but at least the boys aren't moaning about it.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19I'll be mostly patching the ceiling today.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23Putting these bits of wood up then we can put
0:26:23 > 0:26:26bits of plasterboard in, then we can over-skim the whole ceiling.
0:26:28 > 0:26:33It's taken a long, long time but my friend, colleague and best buddy
0:26:33 > 0:26:37jumped in to join me. Doesn't say a lot but he's a nice boy.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42There are all sorts of nice people helping out...
0:26:43 > 0:26:44..and with good reason.
0:26:44 > 0:26:48If my daughter was in the same position and I didn't have
0:26:48 > 0:26:52the funds to have this kind of work done, you'd want someone to
0:26:52 > 0:26:54chip in, give you a lift
0:26:54 > 0:26:58and it's all for a good cause, so why not help?
0:26:58 > 0:27:01- Have you got any kids? - I've not, no, not yet.
0:27:01 > 0:27:02- Are you married?- Not yet.
0:27:02 > 0:27:04Got a girlfriend?
0:27:04 > 0:27:06He did have, did have.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09Wait for it, ladies, good-looking lad there, on the market,
0:27:09 > 0:27:12free and available if you're interested.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14- What's the name?- Brian.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16- Brian - look at that. - Oh, God, you can't.
0:27:19 > 0:27:20Bless.
0:27:37 > 0:27:41Our third day in, and once again our trades haven't disappointed us.
0:27:48 > 0:27:51We've got just three hours to dig our curl-shaped trenches
0:27:51 > 0:27:56before the concrete arrives and Laurence turns up to inspect.
0:27:56 > 0:27:57I can't believe it.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00Look at them go. It's incredible, isn't it?
0:28:00 > 0:28:02Like a machine.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05What's also incredible is how much enthusiasm Chris still
0:28:05 > 0:28:06has for plastering.
0:28:06 > 0:28:0817 spreads...
0:28:08 > 0:28:11Guess what? The plasterers have turned up today...
0:28:11 > 0:28:13- ..17 spreads. - ..and they're everywhere,
0:28:13 > 0:28:14they're all over the place...
0:28:14 > 0:28:17- Come and have a look.- ..and guess who's really happy.- 17 spreads.
0:28:18 > 0:28:22Yup, the inside is packed with skilled workmen.
0:28:22 > 0:28:24- Well, sort of. - GERMAN ACCENT: What is your name?
0:28:24 > 0:28:27We have ways and means of making you talk!
0:28:27 > 0:28:28Hell, no!
0:28:34 > 0:28:36And around the back...
0:28:38 > 0:28:43..Laurence has turned up to pontificate on his swirls.
0:28:43 > 0:28:44They're just not right.
0:28:44 > 0:28:48I think I might have just arrived more or less just in time.
0:28:48 > 0:28:50What do you mean, Laurence?
0:28:50 > 0:28:53Although I have this frightful reputation of being deeply
0:28:53 > 0:28:56impractical, actually I do think that mowing this tiny little...
0:28:56 > 0:29:00I don't know, what would you call it? ..Brazilian grass
0:29:00 > 0:29:04would be rather complicated. Someone got some spray?
0:29:10 > 0:29:12I was going to say, "Well, mind the suit,"
0:29:12 > 0:29:14but, to be honest, it can only improve it, can't it?
0:29:14 > 0:29:16That's a bit wide.
0:29:16 > 0:29:20Lord Swirly is, as it turns out, very particular about the curl.
0:29:20 > 0:29:21Mm, OK, fine.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24Well, it's going to look great from the roof, isn't it?
0:29:24 > 0:29:27We've doubled the original area of that roof,
0:29:27 > 0:29:29so it's hard graft for these boys ahead.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37Although it's tough work, the build part of the project
0:29:37 > 0:29:38is coming along nicely.
0:29:40 > 0:29:43- We've got two days to do this so... - We'll be done tomorrow.
0:29:47 > 0:29:50The concrete has arrived which means the guys have been busy
0:29:50 > 0:29:53shovelling it into trenches in the garden in accordance with
0:29:53 > 0:29:54Lord Swirly's grand plan.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00I think with relatively small suburban gardens like this,
0:30:00 > 0:30:03people are often a little bit unimaginative about the shapes
0:30:03 > 0:30:09they put in them, so I wanted to use big spirals to make the whole
0:30:09 > 0:30:13thing feel more exciting, to make it feel much more like a journey.
0:30:13 > 0:30:14OK, go on.
0:30:14 > 0:30:19You know, nature comes in curls and curves and sort of big bosomy
0:30:19 > 0:30:22swags, but the problem is it's really difficult, as you can see
0:30:22 > 0:30:26here, we're having to make a giant compass now to get the curve right.
0:30:26 > 0:30:31Yeah, it's a minor detail but the concrete's already in the trenches.
0:30:31 > 0:30:34But Laurence feels, again, they didn't quite hit the mark.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37The thing is, the time pressure is to obviously get the concrete out
0:30:37 > 0:30:41before it sets and then move it so that it's in the right place,
0:30:41 > 0:30:43so it was a very timely visit.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48Look at them go.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50Yes, now I'm worried.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52- TO FIRESTARTER BY THE PRODIGY: - I wanted to use curls and curls
0:30:52 > 0:30:55and big spirals, big bosomy swags.
0:30:58 > 0:30:59I know exactly what it's going to look like.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02I know exactly what it's going to look like when it's all done.
0:31:02 > 0:31:04Nobody else does.
0:31:04 > 0:31:08Bricks, bricks, bricks, bricks, got to like bricks to hang out here.
0:31:10 > 0:31:14Ah, the garden of Eden was nothing like this.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17I'm very impressed, I don't impress easily.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19Well, that was kind of weird, wasn't it? I think
0:31:19 > 0:31:21the editor's gone for a lie down.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25And so ends another busy day on a Big Build.
0:31:30 > 0:31:32We're coming up to the halfway point to the build
0:31:32 > 0:31:35and although we've made a good start, we need to keep on pushing.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42With our extension side all nicely waterproofed, it's time to build
0:31:42 > 0:31:44the neighbour's wall up again.
0:31:46 > 0:31:48In about an hour's time it'll all be done.
0:31:48 > 0:31:52Let's get it done and let's get him moved in. That's what I think, yeah.
0:31:57 > 0:32:01Of course, everything changed for Mark one spring night in 2012
0:32:01 > 0:32:03but life changed for Frank too.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06I'm a dad myself and my heart goes out to him
0:32:06 > 0:32:09and everything he's been through.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13- It hasn't got any easier for you, has it?- No.
0:32:15 > 0:32:19No, erm, the reliving of what happened to Mark...
0:32:21 > 0:32:23..it's just huge for us.
0:32:23 > 0:32:2870% of the people who this sort of thing happens to
0:32:28 > 0:32:30end up getting divorced. And I said,
0:32:30 > 0:32:32"Well, it won't happen to me and Christine."
0:32:32 > 0:32:34But, lo and behold, we have been through some
0:32:34 > 0:32:41terrible days and times and we seem to argue over the least thing.
0:32:41 > 0:32:45It just... I'm thinking, "Well, why is this like this?
0:32:45 > 0:32:48- "This can't be right." - It's the anger inside you, isn't it?
0:32:48 > 0:32:50- Well, probably it is, yeah. - And her too, I imagine.
0:32:50 > 0:32:52Oh, good God, yeah.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54Have you found it hard because, as a dad,
0:32:54 > 0:32:57our job is to protect, isn't it?
0:32:57 > 0:32:59Extremely, because I can't,
0:32:59 > 0:33:02I can't protect him any more than what he's getting now,
0:33:02 > 0:33:04and I felt as though I was letting everybody down then.
0:33:04 > 0:33:05Where he is now,
0:33:05 > 0:33:09I feel as though me hands are tied, there's very little I can do.
0:33:09 > 0:33:12My son was very close to me.
0:33:12 > 0:33:15We were very close and, er...
0:33:18 > 0:33:21..I miss him...so much.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26He's...
0:33:27 > 0:33:31He's lost an awful lot in his life.
0:33:31 > 0:33:35If there was a God up there, he made him not get married
0:33:35 > 0:33:36or have children...
0:33:37 > 0:33:39..cos I don't know how I would have coped with that as well.
0:33:44 > 0:33:46And, yeah, me heart is broken.
0:33:49 > 0:33:53Do you think you've turned a corner with this house being sorted out?
0:33:53 > 0:33:57I've got a purpose in life now. It's to look after Mark
0:33:57 > 0:34:03and I've not got to worry about what's gone, the past is the past
0:34:03 > 0:34:06now, Mark's got a future which we didn't think he had before
0:34:06 > 0:34:10and I'm going to make sure that that future is fulfilled,
0:34:10 > 0:34:12my son's coming home.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15Do you think now that Mark's coming home, now the house is sorted out,
0:34:15 > 0:34:18do you think you and Christine will be able to...
0:34:18 > 0:34:22rekindle your relationship?
0:34:22 > 0:34:25I've no doubt whatsoever because that's all she ever wanted.
0:34:25 > 0:34:27She'll get the family back.
0:34:27 > 0:34:2939 years and I've never stopped loving her.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40Apart from one person drinking tea, back on the site
0:34:40 > 0:34:41we've picked up the pace.
0:34:44 > 0:34:48Do a 15-second roundup. I'll count. One...
0:34:49 > 0:34:52It's just gone... Hang on, we'll do it again
0:34:52 > 0:34:54cos you started counting too early.
0:34:54 > 0:34:57- When the camera comes round, count. - All right then.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01- One...- Ah, there you are.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03It's Saturday afternoon. Just to put you up to speed,
0:35:03 > 0:35:06the floor's going down in the back rooms.
0:35:06 > 0:35:08The plastering is finished.
0:35:09 > 0:35:13The kitchen is going into the middle bit of the new extension.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16It's absolutely kick-arse in there. It's happening.
0:35:16 > 0:35:18Can't mention arses.
0:35:18 > 0:35:20I wouldn't get a lot of work, would I?
0:35:20 > 0:35:22You wouldn't get a lot of work.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25Come on. Let's go and plasterboard that wall. We can do that.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28I thought it was a good effort,
0:35:28 > 0:35:30although I won't be looking over my shoulder
0:35:30 > 0:35:32with trepidation any time soon.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35Inside, we're cutting and fitting the carer's area.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38Laurence has made it his personal mission to ensure
0:35:38 > 0:35:40this space is functional but beautiful,
0:35:40 > 0:35:43so he's personally arranged for a bespoke splashback
0:35:43 > 0:35:45with Ibiza print made of glass.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49Once the glass has been toughened and tempered...
0:35:49 > 0:35:52- Yes.- ..that means it cannot be cut.
0:35:52 > 0:35:54That is correct, yes. It then becomes safety glass
0:35:54 > 0:35:58which means it shatters into pieces that are safe to handle
0:35:58 > 0:36:01- once they've broken.- Right.
0:36:01 > 0:36:04So that means if it doesn't fit, it can't be altered.
0:36:04 > 0:36:05It can't be altered, no.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09Whoever gave them the measurement for the glass has measured it wrong.
0:36:09 > 0:36:15They've not allowed for the ply on the wall, so it doesn't fit.
0:36:16 > 0:36:17Mark Millar!
0:36:17 > 0:36:19HE WHINES AND HOWLS
0:36:21 > 0:36:22Yeah, that's not a happy face.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25But luckily for him, these guys are professionals.
0:36:25 > 0:36:29We're going to cut a piece out of the wall there,
0:36:29 > 0:36:32slide it into that side, cut a piece out of that side,
0:36:32 > 0:36:36slide it that side, even it out, job will be fixed.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43See we don't need problems, we need answers
0:36:43 > 0:36:45and that's just what they've given.
0:36:45 > 0:36:47Moving on, at least the middle rooms are coming along nicely.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52Funnily enough, though, the panelling has gone in upside down
0:36:52 > 0:36:54but there we are. I'm not sure I don't quite like that.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57Erm, it's one of those things that at this stage in the game,
0:36:57 > 0:37:00you think, "Right, OK, well, that's a...
0:37:00 > 0:37:03"That's a lucky accident, cos it looks so much more modern
0:37:03 > 0:37:04"being upside down."
0:37:05 > 0:37:07- NICK LAUGHS - That's the spirit.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10We're also looking on the bright side in the garden,
0:37:10 > 0:37:1322 tonnes of topsoil coming in on foot.
0:37:14 > 0:37:17- I love that. You see that? - Yeah, "No negativity allowed."
0:37:17 > 0:37:20Yeah. That's brilliant, ain't it?
0:37:20 > 0:37:23By end of play today, resin will be in, lawn will be in,
0:37:23 > 0:37:25brickwork will be done.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27- We're finished, aren't we?- Yeah.
0:37:30 > 0:37:34We're also starting to see the light on the inside.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37And if you look up there, there's a good-looking fella. Hello, son.
0:37:39 > 0:37:42With the panelling in the two centre rooms complete,
0:37:42 > 0:37:44the paint is out... Oh, white.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46That doesn't look too bad, I suppose.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50Yeah, it's very Laurence. Very bright.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53- Flamboyant, shall we say? - Mm... Yeah, I'm not sure.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55We're also installing the hoists.
0:37:55 > 0:37:56It's these kind of changes we hope
0:37:56 > 0:37:59will change Mark's future for the better.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05As a young man, Mark loved the outdoors and the Scouts.
0:38:07 > 0:38:08Frank is still an active leader,
0:38:08 > 0:38:11so with the help of friends, I've organised a day out.
0:38:14 > 0:38:15Nice to be out in the open air.
0:38:15 > 0:38:17Oh, it's beautiful. Absolutely beautiful.
0:38:17 > 0:38:21- Well, I've brought Billy and Chris and Jules down...- Right.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24..to join Frank to go dragon boat racing.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26- Oh, good. - SHE LAUGHS
0:38:26 > 0:38:27Those people getting on that boat
0:38:27 > 0:38:30don't realise what they're getting into.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32HE YELLS
0:38:33 > 0:38:34Hello.
0:38:34 > 0:38:37I'm not sure having Frank on the drum is a particularly good idea.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40- You all right?- Argh!
0:38:40 > 0:38:41I'm not sure.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44Go on, son. You'll be fine. Cock your leg over it. Get on.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48- There you are, look.- Whoa! - You're all right. Just hold on.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50How am I going to beat the drum if I'm holding on?
0:38:50 > 0:38:53THEY CHEER
0:38:53 > 0:38:56Is he known for his athletic ability, Frank?
0:38:56 > 0:38:58He used to run marathons, yeah. He ran marathons.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00What, the chocolate bar?
0:39:00 > 0:39:03- SHE LAUGHS - Chocolate bar!
0:39:03 > 0:39:06Stand by. One, two, three...
0:39:06 > 0:39:08WHISTLE SOUNDS
0:39:12 > 0:39:15Look how out of sync they are on the one on the left.
0:39:16 > 0:39:19It's like a drunk spider's legs.
0:39:19 > 0:39:20Come on, Frank!
0:39:24 > 0:39:26Come on, Frank!
0:39:26 > 0:39:29- ALL:- One! Two! One!
0:39:29 > 0:39:31Oh, no. I think Julian's got this.
0:39:31 > 0:39:33I think Julian's got it.
0:39:33 > 0:39:35- CHEERING - Win for Julian.
0:39:42 > 0:39:44You know, a bit of fun like that shows us that this family
0:39:44 > 0:39:47still have a real chance of putting the past behind them.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54Having started this job, we hit a few snags,
0:39:54 > 0:39:58but with the help of new friends, we've just about overcome them all.
0:39:58 > 0:39:59That looks absolutely lovely.
0:39:59 > 0:40:02Erm, by the look of it, it wasn't an easy installation!
0:40:02 > 0:40:04No, it wasn't an easy installation.
0:40:04 > 0:40:06By the way that you've chewed out that wall,
0:40:06 > 0:40:08obviously with your own teeth.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10Yeah! The neighbour's wall
0:40:10 > 0:40:13that was flush to our extension has now been re-built.
0:40:13 > 0:40:15That's grand. Job done!
0:40:15 > 0:40:18And the trades are just about managing
0:40:18 > 0:40:20to stay on top of Laurence's demands.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24Have you got enough work on at the moment?
0:40:24 > 0:40:27It looks like there's an enormous amount of chipping in.
0:40:27 > 0:40:29Oh, we're busy. There's a lot to do.
0:40:31 > 0:40:33Experience tells me this is usually the place
0:40:33 > 0:40:36where the design starts to make sense.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40But I'm struggling, and I'm not the only one, to be honest.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43Erm, what is it? What are they supposed to be?
0:40:43 > 0:40:47Are they gremlins? Are they...what? Are they sperm?
0:40:47 > 0:40:49What do you think it is?
0:40:49 > 0:40:52It looks like one of them lava lamps, doesn't it?
0:40:52 > 0:40:54Oh, that could be right, yeah. A lava lamp,
0:40:54 > 0:40:57that's what it looks like. Not sperm at all, really, is it?
0:40:57 > 0:40:59HE LAUGHS
0:40:59 > 0:41:03It reminds me of being in a room of lava lamps. What about you, Karl?
0:41:04 > 0:41:08There are going to be things that happen which seem really weird,
0:41:08 > 0:41:12but all of those things are part of a very finely balanced,
0:41:12 > 0:41:15symphonic approach to design.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21- Very tranquil, isn't it? - Yeah, it's very therapeutic.
0:41:23 > 0:41:25Yup, jellyfish.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28We might have started with nine precious days,
0:41:28 > 0:41:30now we have just hours left, so it's a rush
0:41:30 > 0:41:34to get the plants into the garden - all 2,500 of them.
0:41:34 > 0:41:36Colour in the garden is brilliant. I love colour,
0:41:36 > 0:41:39but Laurence can take it too far.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42He wants to paint a seat blue, and it's fine as it is!
0:41:44 > 0:41:49We cannot stop the inestimable surge of design like this,
0:41:49 > 0:41:51we cannot hold it back, we cannot Canute it.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54But a big blue blob in the corner of the garden....
0:41:54 > 0:41:56Which is absolutely what we need.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00Oh, you - I said to everybody, don't find any brushes!
0:42:00 > 0:42:03- Oh, man.- Yeah, you're losing, man.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05You're losing.
0:42:05 > 0:42:09- Look! Well, the bad news is, we're so doing this.- No, but we're not. No.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13- We are. Look, it's perfect.- But it's not just an issue of coverage, is it, Laurence?
0:42:13 > 0:42:16It's an issue of authorship, Nicholas.
0:42:16 > 0:42:19Design is now in charge.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23Hang on, let me see this from a distance.
0:42:26 > 0:42:30Honestly and truly, why is it blue? Nothing else in this garden is blue.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33Apart from that pot, that pot over there, most of the planting.
0:42:33 > 0:42:36It's a lot to do with the fact that, actually,
0:42:36 > 0:42:40when you look from Mark's bedroom - our accent is all blue -
0:42:40 > 0:42:42this is going to be the first thing you see.
0:42:42 > 0:42:46As you absolutely rightly point out, it will stick out like a sore thumb, but that's the whole point of it.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49And bearing in mind that Mark's going to be spending
0:42:49 > 0:42:52a lot of time in there in bed, he will be able to see this,
0:42:52 > 0:42:54and this suddenly, this corner of the garden,
0:42:54 > 0:42:56becomes more about being part of his bedroom
0:42:56 > 0:43:01than being segregated as an experience from being outside.
0:43:01 > 0:43:03I'm giving that a round of applause.
0:43:06 > 0:43:09Yeah, all right, he won that, yes, yes.
0:43:09 > 0:43:11We've got a last-minute rush on to get the big items in,
0:43:11 > 0:43:14and, of course, it's a busy time for Lord Swirly
0:43:14 > 0:43:16and his cushion cuddling.
0:43:16 > 0:43:20But all in all, he's gone and pulled a blinder, really, hasn't he?
0:43:21 > 0:43:23He's very good.
0:43:24 > 0:43:28Well, that's it, pretty much. All we've got to do is to have a bit of a sweep up and clean up
0:43:28 > 0:43:31out here in the garden and hang a couple of picture inside, and we're done.
0:43:31 > 0:43:34Nine days of sterling effort and it looks amazing.
0:43:34 > 0:43:38You can't look at this stage, can you? Go on, quickly.
0:43:38 > 0:43:41I know! It's amazing, isn't it?
0:43:50 > 0:43:54In April 2012, a single punch to the head
0:43:54 > 0:43:56left Mark fighting for his life.
0:43:56 > 0:43:59They came to us and said,
0:43:59 > 0:44:03"Your son is alive but he is utterly and totally different now."
0:44:03 > 0:44:07His injuries left him totally dependent on carers.
0:44:09 > 0:44:12With a home that wasn't built for his needs,
0:44:12 > 0:44:14Mark went into care.
0:44:14 > 0:44:16He means everything to us. He is our son.
0:44:16 > 0:44:19Where he is down there, they're doing a marvellous job,
0:44:19 > 0:44:24but we are his family and we want him home to live with us,
0:44:24 > 0:44:27not stuck in a bed in a care home all his life.
0:44:27 > 0:44:30We arrived nine days ago to find a family crumbling
0:44:30 > 0:44:33and desperate to get their son home.
0:44:33 > 0:44:37He's been in for two years in various hospital organisations
0:44:37 > 0:44:41and he'll be free.
0:44:41 > 0:44:43That's how I see it, he'll be free.
0:44:45 > 0:44:48But with no savings or space to make it happen,
0:44:48 > 0:44:50they were powerless to change things.
0:44:50 > 0:44:53We couldn't have afforded to get him home.
0:44:54 > 0:44:56No, we couldn't.
0:44:56 > 0:45:01- We want him at home.- We want him home.- We want him home.
0:45:01 > 0:45:03It was an impossible situation,
0:45:03 > 0:45:06and it would have stayed that way indefinitely
0:45:06 > 0:45:08if it weren't for these guys.
0:45:14 > 0:45:18Just nine days ago this was a tiny two-bedroom bungalow
0:45:18 > 0:45:20with a side garage.
0:45:20 > 0:45:23Now, finally, Mark can call it home.
0:45:25 > 0:45:27We've built a big self-contained flat
0:45:27 > 0:45:30that runs alongside Frank and Christine's home.
0:45:32 > 0:45:36Widened doors and a wheelchair ramp mean that for the first time
0:45:36 > 0:45:41since his injury, Mark can come home and live alongside his family.
0:45:42 > 0:45:46Inside has been transformed from an old dusty garage
0:45:46 > 0:45:50to a brand-new apartment for assisted living,
0:45:50 > 0:45:51giving Mark the independence
0:45:51 > 0:45:54his family so desperately wanted for him.
0:45:56 > 0:45:58At the front there's a carer's room,
0:45:58 > 0:46:01complete with fold-away bed and a kitchenette.
0:46:03 > 0:46:06Laurence's design draws on Mark's love of club music,
0:46:06 > 0:46:08and it looks stunning.
0:46:09 > 0:46:12The bold Ibiza vibe flows effortlessly throughout,
0:46:12 > 0:46:15and incorporates all the medical equipment
0:46:15 > 0:46:20and facilities Mark needs, from the bed in his bedroom,
0:46:20 > 0:46:23to the hoist that runs through to the wet room.
0:46:23 > 0:46:26It's functional without looking clinical.
0:46:28 > 0:46:31All the floors have been levelled and the doors widened
0:46:31 > 0:46:34so that Mark can move between different areas.
0:46:34 > 0:46:39We've provided space for his family so they can begin to move on.
0:46:41 > 0:46:43The old dining room has been transformed -
0:46:43 > 0:46:48it now has a fresh colonial look, and is wheelchair accessible.
0:46:48 > 0:46:50And we've built an entirely new lounge,
0:46:50 > 0:46:52meaning there is finally an area
0:46:52 > 0:46:56for talking and spending time with one another.
0:46:56 > 0:47:00We've also refreshed the guest room so that Michelle can finally
0:47:00 > 0:47:03spend comfortable time at home with Mum and Dad and brother.
0:47:05 > 0:47:08The outside has had a major overhaul.
0:47:08 > 0:47:10There are no more steps.
0:47:10 > 0:47:13There are swirls - one gigantic one, in fact -
0:47:13 > 0:47:17so that now the great outdoors can be used by everyone, including Mark.
0:47:19 > 0:47:22You know, I even like the blue.
0:47:23 > 0:47:27We've talked about the fact that the last two years have been dreadful,
0:47:27 > 0:47:31and you were both saying that you were looking for a turning point.
0:47:31 > 0:47:33There've been a lot of people come in
0:47:33 > 0:47:35to try and turn things around for you.
0:47:35 > 0:47:39We hope this is that turning point you've been looking for.
0:47:39 > 0:47:40Open your eyes.
0:47:42 > 0:47:45Oh, my goodness, it's beautiful.
0:47:50 > 0:47:54- It's beautiful.- My word.
0:47:54 > 0:47:55What a difference.
0:47:57 > 0:47:59How fantastic is that?
0:48:03 > 0:48:06Wow.
0:48:06 > 0:48:09This place is amazing.
0:48:09 > 0:48:11To be honest, the bit you're really interested in
0:48:11 > 0:48:13- is Mark's room, aren't you?- Yeah,
0:48:13 > 0:48:17- I'm excited to see that part. - Yeah, of course.
0:48:22 > 0:48:24HE GASPS
0:48:27 > 0:48:28Oh!
0:48:29 > 0:48:32CRYING: He'll love this.
0:48:32 > 0:48:35He will absolutely love this.
0:48:37 > 0:48:38Amazing.
0:48:42 > 0:48:46I could have never imagined this. Never in a million years.
0:49:02 > 0:49:04Thank you so much.
0:49:05 > 0:49:08Words fail me, for once.
0:49:08 > 0:49:09Nice bright colours in here,
0:49:09 > 0:49:12and of course the all-important track,
0:49:12 > 0:49:15which means he can come from the bed directly to the bathroom,
0:49:15 > 0:49:18- that leads all the way through into the wet room and shower.- Yeah.
0:49:18 > 0:49:21Oh! Wow.
0:49:24 > 0:49:25How good is this?
0:49:27 > 0:49:32- What a superb place. - Mark will absolutely love it.
0:49:32 > 0:49:36So this is kind of a clubland bathroom.
0:49:36 > 0:49:38I can't believe it.
0:49:41 > 0:49:43I can't believe you've captured my son.
0:49:46 > 0:49:48This is him.
0:49:49 > 0:49:53Right, we've got some more to show you, we haven't finished yet. Come outside.
0:50:00 > 0:50:02So here we go - as you keep on going down,
0:50:02 > 0:50:06there's a bit of an Ibiza night-light thing going on here,
0:50:06 > 0:50:08new radiator, kitchenette.
0:50:08 > 0:50:11The picture, by the way, is Ibiza old town.
0:50:11 > 0:50:14I can't believe the space.
0:50:14 > 0:50:15This is the carer's room.
0:50:15 > 0:50:19- This here is a fold-out bed so you take the cushions off.- Oh, is it? - Oh, yeah!
0:50:19 > 0:50:21The idea is to keep the eye busy, keep the mind fired up.
0:50:21 > 0:50:25Exactly. Exactly, and that's what he's in need of.
0:50:25 > 0:50:30Stimulation will be just exactly what he needs now, isn't it?
0:50:30 > 0:50:33I've got some more things to show you, we haven't finished yet.
0:50:40 > 0:50:43And again, where have you got the space from?
0:50:43 > 0:50:46As much as you wanted your son back home,
0:50:46 > 0:50:48Michelle wanted her brother again.
0:50:48 > 0:50:49You're definitely right there.
0:50:49 > 0:50:54So this is the extra room, so that Michelle can come and be here
0:50:54 > 0:50:56and spend time with Mark as well.
0:50:56 > 0:50:58It's beautiful.
0:51:00 > 0:51:03It's so beautiful. I don't know how to thank you.
0:51:03 > 0:51:07It's been a long, long time for Mark, being cooped up,
0:51:07 > 0:51:10and we can't wait to show him around now,
0:51:10 > 0:51:14because he will love this, absolutely love what they've done for him.
0:51:14 > 0:51:17Right, come on, I've got one more thing to show you.
0:51:24 > 0:51:29- Wow!- Oh, my goodness. It's gorgeous!
0:51:29 > 0:51:31Never, ever in a million years
0:51:31 > 0:51:35did I think that this would be anything like this.
0:51:37 > 0:51:40And it's all accessible.
0:51:40 > 0:51:43You would not believe the effort that has gone into this.
0:51:43 > 0:51:45- I would, I would.- Certainly can!
0:51:45 > 0:51:48Come on, have a stroll down and take the route that Mark
0:51:48 > 0:51:51will be taking whenever he comes out into the garden here.
0:51:51 > 0:51:53I can't keep my eyes still, there's so much to look at.
0:51:53 > 0:51:56There is so much to look at, definitely.
0:51:59 > 0:52:01This is truly fantastic.
0:52:02 > 0:52:05I'm overwhelmed by everybody's generosity.
0:52:06 > 0:52:10Well, after two and a half years, time to bring your boy home.
0:52:12 > 0:52:13Oh, yes, yes, yes.
0:52:14 > 0:52:17- You ready?- Yes.- Yeah.- We are, yeah.
0:52:19 > 0:52:22- Yes, please.- Come on.
0:52:52 > 0:52:54It's amazing, isn't it?
0:52:58 > 0:53:00APPLAUSE DROWNS SPEECH
0:53:06 > 0:53:08This is absolutely amazing.
0:53:22 > 0:53:25- Hiya!- Hiya, son.- Hi, darling.
0:53:25 > 0:53:27Welcome home, son.
0:53:28 > 0:53:31- Welcome home.- Yeah.
0:53:31 > 0:53:35See? You're home, Mark.
0:53:35 > 0:53:37You're home, son.
0:53:39 > 0:53:40Eh?
0:53:42 > 0:53:45It's all right. You'll be fine.
0:53:45 > 0:53:49You will be fine. You can't wait to see in there.
0:53:51 > 0:53:52Oh, he's crying.
0:53:54 > 0:53:58All these people out here have done so much for your house.
0:53:58 > 0:54:02MARK CRIES I know.
0:54:02 > 0:54:04So, so much for you.
0:54:04 > 0:54:10- Guys, why don't you take Mark in and show him his new home?- OK.
0:54:10 > 0:54:12Will do. Come on, son.
0:54:14 > 0:54:17There you go, mate, welcome home. There you go.
0:54:19 > 0:54:21Now then, Mark,
0:54:21 > 0:54:25this is your carer's room, right?
0:54:25 > 0:54:28Look at all this. Look at this!
0:54:28 > 0:54:31- They're jellyfish, Mark.- Jellyfish!
0:54:31 > 0:54:33You can't catch them with your rod, can you?
0:54:33 > 0:54:36Isn't it fab?
0:54:36 > 0:54:39Isn't that lovely? I knew you'd love that.
0:54:39 > 0:54:42Let's go further, son. Come on, then.
0:54:42 > 0:54:46Remember this? This used to be our garage, didn't it?
0:54:46 > 0:54:50Now then, Mark, this is your bedroom.
0:54:50 > 0:54:53- Eh?- Look at your bed.
0:54:53 > 0:54:56- Look at your bed.- It's amazing.
0:55:01 > 0:55:02Wow.
0:55:05 > 0:55:08This is all for you. I think you like it, don't you?
0:55:13 > 0:55:15It's all quite overwhelming.
0:55:21 > 0:55:25This is all for you, Mark, from all them good people outside.
0:55:25 > 0:55:28This day's the start of the rest of your life,
0:55:28 > 0:55:32and we're going to be beside you all the way.
0:55:32 > 0:55:35Aren't we, eh?
0:55:35 > 0:55:38- Eh?- Eh?
0:55:39 > 0:55:42It's important the whole family
0:55:42 > 0:55:46are involved with Mark's care - now they can be.
0:55:49 > 0:55:50It's beautiful.
0:55:50 > 0:55:53Not to have this room would mean that I couldn't come and stay here.
0:55:53 > 0:55:56You can see from the minute he walked in,
0:55:56 > 0:55:58he had a little smile on his face.
0:55:58 > 0:56:01You can just see that he loves it.
0:56:01 > 0:56:03He's definitely going to have such a fulfilled life,
0:56:03 > 0:56:05and so are we, all together as a family.
0:56:14 > 0:56:16APPLAUSE
0:56:26 > 0:56:29Sorry about the weather. LAUGHTER
0:56:29 > 0:56:31And I'm sorry to keep you out here so long.
0:56:31 > 0:56:36I think "thank you" is so inadequate for what you've done.
0:56:36 > 0:56:40This has just changed our lives completely,
0:56:40 > 0:56:44and Mark's life will be, by far, much better
0:56:44 > 0:56:46for what you have done for him.
0:56:46 > 0:56:49None of you knew Mark,
0:56:49 > 0:56:51but I'm sure deep down
0:56:51 > 0:56:54he knows what you've done for him,
0:56:54 > 0:56:58and we certainly do. Thank you so much.
0:56:58 > 0:57:00APPLAUSE
0:57:08 > 0:57:13Can I just say something from my heart, as a mum, to all of you?
0:57:13 > 0:57:16Each and every one of you are our heroes.
0:57:16 > 0:57:21You have pulled us from the brink of despair.
0:57:21 > 0:57:24Thank you to each and every one of you.
0:57:38 > 0:57:40Top man. Got your boy home.
0:57:42 > 0:57:43Hello!
0:57:44 > 0:57:47CROWD NOISE DROWNS SPEECH
0:57:47 > 0:57:50- We did your roof.- Oh, OK.- This roof and the flat roof at the back.
0:57:50 > 0:57:53- At the back as well? You've been busy, haven't you?- Yeah, we have.
0:57:54 > 0:57:57There's a saying - you can choose your friends
0:57:57 > 0:57:59but you can't choose your family.
0:57:59 > 0:58:02But given the choice, Mark couldn't have done better, really.
0:58:02 > 0:58:04They couldn't get past that final hurdle,
0:58:04 > 0:58:07but these new friends did that for them.
0:58:07 > 0:58:10They came together and gave them a new future.
0:58:10 > 0:58:13That's an extraordinary thing, don't you think?
0:58:13 > 0:58:16Maybe you know somebody who needs your help.