0:00:02 > 0:00:04I think, like any parent, we were upset
0:00:04 > 0:00:08because, you know, your child isn't perfect. You know, there was
0:00:08 > 0:00:11something wrong and something that was going to affect them negatively.
0:00:11 > 0:00:13The world is not adapted to smaller people -
0:00:13 > 0:00:15it's adapted to average-height people.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17But, you know, we said we'll learn to deal with it
0:00:17 > 0:00:19which is what we've done.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23Bringing up children with special needs is a battle at the best
0:00:23 > 0:00:26of times, but when fate's against you,
0:00:26 > 0:00:29it becomes a fight on more than one front.
0:00:29 > 0:00:31When you meet him, you'd never know how ill he is.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34This last year, he's been bedridden for several months at a time
0:00:34 > 0:00:36cos he really has been in so much pain.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41Those girls, they look up to him, they just think he's amazing.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44They've been my three little inspirations.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47Because of them, I am determined to make sure
0:00:47 > 0:00:49I'm sticking around for a long time to come.
0:00:49 > 0:00:51And that's why we're here to help,
0:00:51 > 0:00:54to build this family a home to face their future together.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57These little 'uns need somewhere safe where they can grow up
0:00:57 > 0:00:59and get about and do normal things.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01- You up for doing that for them? - ALL: Yeah!
0:01:05 > 0:01:07We have just nine days to carry out the job.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11That is textbook orthopaedic carpentry.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14And all the usual suspects are here.
0:01:14 > 0:01:15He's a woodgy-woodgy-woodgy-woo!
0:01:17 > 0:01:20- Well, I say that, where's Billy? - He's gone to get help.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23Here he is!
0:01:23 > 0:01:26This is DIY SOS: The Big Build!
0:01:26 > 0:01:28THEY CHEER
0:01:39 > 0:01:41College lecturer Mark Corns
0:01:41 > 0:01:44and full-time mum Jenny met as holiday reps.
0:01:46 > 0:01:51We met in the Greek island of Rhodes in the summer of 2003.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54I thought she was really nice, you know, pretty hot,
0:01:54 > 0:01:56I thought at the time, still do.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59They married in 2009
0:01:59 > 0:02:02and now live in Loughborough with their three amazing daughters,
0:02:02 > 0:02:06three-year-old Abigail and their two-year-old twins Emelia and Katie.
0:02:08 > 0:02:11But having a family at all has been a monumental effort.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17I've wanted children, erm, for as long as I can remember.
0:02:17 > 0:02:20I knew from quite a few years ago that there was going to be
0:02:20 > 0:02:23problems conceiving naturally.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26After a long series of fertility treatments
0:02:26 > 0:02:30and several failed attempts, in 2011, Abigail was born.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33When Abigail arrived, just elation
0:02:33 > 0:02:36and relief that we'd actually succeeded.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39Seven-year trip, wasn't it, really, to try and get there?
0:02:39 > 0:02:43And, you know, the fact that we'd got a little girl was just amazing.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45And their luck didn't stop there.
0:02:45 > 0:02:49Within months, Jenny became pregnant again, and this time with twins.
0:02:50 > 0:02:55But they came two months early, suddenly, on the bathroom floor.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59Before we knew what was happening, erm, Katie came out,
0:02:59 > 0:03:02but wasn't really moving. There was no movement,
0:03:02 > 0:03:05she wasn't pinking up. She just looked asleep, almost.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08Obviously I was giving birth to Emelia -
0:03:08 > 0:03:11I couldn't physically give her CPR.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13I was covering the month, covering the nose at the same time,
0:03:13 > 0:03:17using two fingers to do the chest compression, erm,
0:03:17 > 0:03:20and she started to come round a little bit.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23Had Mark not been there, Katie would not have survived -
0:03:23 > 0:03:25it's quite simple.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31Katie and Emelia were alive
0:03:31 > 0:03:33but over the next two months in hospital, they were diagnosed
0:03:33 > 0:03:37with a condition called Achondroplasia, a form of dwarfism.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42I think, like any parent, we were upset because, you know,
0:03:42 > 0:03:45your child isn't perfect. You know, there was something wrong and
0:03:45 > 0:03:49something that was going to affect them negatively and that upset us.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52They will obviously be short
0:03:52 > 0:03:54but there's a lot more to it than just being short,
0:03:54 > 0:03:57cos it's short limbs that causes a lot of the problems
0:03:57 > 0:03:58because it's disproportionate.
0:03:58 > 0:04:02So their...their reach for their arm length is shorter.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04Walking distances will always been an issue
0:04:04 > 0:04:07because every step we take is three or four steps for them.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10Hold on tight! Oops.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12The world is not adapted to smaller people -
0:04:12 > 0:04:14it's adapted to average-height people.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16That way. Where's Daddy?
0:04:17 > 0:04:21As well as being small, the twins have an endless list of health
0:04:21 > 0:04:24problems from bone deformities to breathing difficulties.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26Well done, good girl.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29Their airwaves are a lot narrower than an average child.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31You can hear the breathing's quite heavy...
0:04:31 > 0:04:34TWINS RASP ..and sleep apnoea kicks in as well,
0:04:34 > 0:04:37they can stop breathing in the night, so oxygen's required.
0:04:37 > 0:04:39They've literally just nodded off now
0:04:39 > 0:04:42so I really could do with getting the cannulas and putting them on,
0:04:42 > 0:04:46really, so they can get the oxygen that they need.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48Mark and Jenny are constantly on the alert.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50Recently they were given another nasty reminder
0:04:50 > 0:04:55of the tightrope they tread when Katie suddenly fell ill.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57- She went downhill in the space of an hour, didn't she?- She did.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59She went from playing with her cousins
0:04:59 > 0:05:02and sisters to being on the floor really struggling to breathe.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06With a small chest cavity as well, her lung collapsed,
0:05:06 > 0:05:08so it basically just gave up.
0:05:09 > 0:05:14Sadly these life-threatening events are not unusual
0:05:14 > 0:05:17and all the essential medical kit needed to keep the twins healthy
0:05:17 > 0:05:20fills every spare corner of the house.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24Home life now is...is just chaos. As the girls are getting older,
0:05:24 > 0:05:27there's just not enough space for everything for them.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30We've got their chairs for feeding, their bath seats,
0:05:30 > 0:05:33we have six large oxygen cylinders and two small,
0:05:33 > 0:05:36the physio mats, the physio bench... They're wanting to be
0:05:36 > 0:05:39running about and there's just no space for them to do that.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42Cos of their larger heads and their disproportionate limbs,
0:05:42 > 0:05:45it makes balance a bit more of an issue.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48They do fall a lot and you just can't be there all the time
0:05:48 > 0:05:52with them, you know what I mean? And the lack of space is a danger
0:05:52 > 0:05:56almost to them with the imbalance when they're walking around.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59But as difficult as it is at times, we've got a family
0:05:59 > 0:06:03and, erm, you know, we love those girls more than life itself.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06At the end of the day, we're not the ones with Achondroplasia,
0:06:06 > 0:06:09it's them that's going to have to deal with that as they grow up,
0:06:09 > 0:06:12and all we're trying to do is facilitate them growing up
0:06:12 > 0:06:15and trying to make things as easy as possible for them,
0:06:15 > 0:06:18and we'll bend over backwards to give it to them.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23Despite their resolve, they are crammed into a house that was
0:06:23 > 0:06:26never meant for a family of five,
0:06:26 > 0:06:28let alone one with so many extra needs.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31Let's talk about the house cos it seems like quite a nice house,
0:06:31 > 0:06:33it's just... Why isn't it working for you?
0:06:33 > 0:06:36It's a space factor, more than anything, for the equipment,
0:06:36 > 0:06:38for the safety of the girls as well.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40It's the thing we really need help with.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43Things like the bathroom. It's perfectly adequate
0:06:43 > 0:06:46for a family of five if you didn't need extra equipment in it.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48They need proper steps and things to hold on to
0:06:48 > 0:06:50to be able to get onto the toilet, use the sink,
0:06:50 > 0:06:54so you start adding things in there, suddenly there'd be no room to move.
0:06:54 > 0:06:55How do you feel about us coming along?
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Because it's weird to have a whole load of people turn up
0:06:58 > 0:06:59and oust you out of your own home.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02- There aren't enough words, are there?- No.- To be able to say
0:07:02 > 0:07:04thank you to what's going to happen over the next eight days.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07Well, we haven't done anything yet - it might be rubbish.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09Do your worst and it will be better than what we've got.
0:07:09 > 0:07:10- Absolutely.- Yeah.
0:07:13 > 0:07:17It's all about space and adaptation and over the next nine days,
0:07:17 > 0:07:20that's exactly what these guys are here to give them.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22You've been absolutely brilliant already
0:07:22 > 0:07:24just for turning up this morning.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27Whatever you can do to give us that space is ever so much appreciated.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29- You up for doing that for them? - ALL:- Yeah!
0:07:29 > 0:07:32We'll get you under way, then, if that's all right.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34APPLAUSE
0:07:35 > 0:07:37Bags packed and off to Mum and Dad's.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39We're left behind to do battle with the house.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42More than 60 of Loughborough's finest trades have given up
0:07:42 > 0:07:46their time for nothing to turn around our family's fortunes.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48So, where do we start?
0:07:48 > 0:07:49CRASH
0:07:49 > 0:07:51Oh!
0:07:51 > 0:07:53Just the boiler coming down the stairs!
0:07:53 > 0:07:55NICK LAUGHS
0:07:55 > 0:07:57As good a place as any, I suppose.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59What we need is a plan.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02- Morning.- Good morning. - How are you today?
0:08:02 > 0:08:04- I'm very well. Look at what I've got. - A set of plans?
0:08:04 > 0:08:06Day one, you always ask me what you're doing...
0:08:06 > 0:08:08And, and, it's got your name on it.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10- They're mine.- So, what are we doing?
0:08:10 > 0:08:11- I don't know yet.- Oh.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13He hasn't had time to look at them!
0:08:13 > 0:08:14It's a bit early! I mean, come on.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16I mean, I've got them, that's a start.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21You know, it's not such a hard job taking out some of the walls,
0:08:21 > 0:08:25as most of them seem to have been made of little more than egg boxes.
0:08:27 > 0:08:28That was it, that was the support.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- It was two sheets of plasterboard onto that.- Yeah.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33They put it up in panels - 1970s.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35Good riddance to the '70s.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41Luckily it's new for old here as we've got the far more
0:08:41 > 0:08:44substantial modern version - a pre-made timber frame
0:08:44 > 0:08:47for a massive two-storey extension - nice!
0:08:47 > 0:08:50So, how far do you think you're going to get with that build in a day?
0:08:50 > 0:08:53- Up to the roof?- Yeah.- Go for it.
0:08:53 > 0:08:54As long as you keep me in bacon butties.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56Don't you worry, they're coming in.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00It's all hugs and bacon butties now, but this is a tall order.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02As ever, our unsung heroes, the ground workers,
0:09:02 > 0:09:06have been in ahead of time to build the foundations and give us
0:09:06 > 0:09:09half a chance of doing the whole lot in just nine days.
0:09:10 > 0:09:11We really appreciate it.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14Well, we don't really... I don't suppose any of us appreciate
0:09:14 > 0:09:17good health until you see somebody who's much less fortunate than us.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20We take it for granted, don't we, our good health?
0:09:20 > 0:09:22He's made much more sense in two minutes
0:09:22 > 0:09:23than you've made in 16 years.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26You must be used to the camera cos you're putting sentences together.
0:09:26 > 0:09:31- Ah, well.- Something I've...erm... Forgot what the word is.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34Yeah, case in point. You see, Bill's not a wordsmith,
0:09:34 > 0:09:36he's an electrician. Well, I say electrician...
0:09:36 > 0:09:38Anyway, here to shed her own wisdom
0:09:38 > 0:09:41and light on the whole proceedings is our resident perfectionist
0:09:41 > 0:09:44and darling of design, Gabrielle Blackman.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46Well, it's just got to be perfect, darling, you know.
0:09:46 > 0:09:47We started off in one place
0:09:47 > 0:09:50and we went on a journey then we've ended up in this amazing place.
0:09:50 > 0:09:51Yes, darling.
0:09:51 > 0:09:53What's your overarching theme on this one?
0:09:53 > 0:09:57It's pretty complicated, this build, because we don't have any
0:09:57 > 0:09:58definite heights to work with.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01You know, we don't know how tall these girls are going to be,
0:10:01 > 0:10:04there's no exact science so we've had to guess a lot of stuff
0:10:04 > 0:10:09and of course, Mark is 6'7", so everything is complicated
0:10:09 > 0:10:12and everything needs to be bespoke. I just want this to be simple,
0:10:12 > 0:10:17beautiful and homely but that is... That is easier to say than to do.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19Yes, well, you talk about bespoke
0:10:19 > 0:10:21and of course people panic with bespoke because they think
0:10:21 > 0:10:24it's difficult to get people to do bespoke stuff,
0:10:24 > 0:10:27but what we find as we go around is that our average trades -
0:10:27 > 0:10:29who are anything but average -
0:10:29 > 0:10:31have extraordinary depths of talent, don't they?
0:10:31 > 0:10:34Yeah, the guys here can make anything happen.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38Let's hope so, darling, because we've raised the bar yet again.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42Two storeys, in fact, with a double-height side extension to give
0:10:42 > 0:10:45Mark and Jenny the essential space they desperately need.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48So, on the ground floor there'll be a washroom for the girls
0:10:48 > 0:10:52and a utility room with extra storage for medical equipment.
0:10:52 > 0:10:54There'll also be room for a huge kitchen/diner
0:10:54 > 0:10:57with low-level worktops for the kids to play safely
0:10:57 > 0:10:59and plenty of room for high chairs.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02And the open-plan lay out flows through to the living room
0:11:02 > 0:11:04so Mum and Dad can keep an eye on the girls.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07By extending upstairs, the twins will get a large bedroom
0:11:07 > 0:11:09where they can each have their own space
0:11:09 > 0:11:11and plenty more storage for their medical kit.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13Abigail will move into the front bedroom
0:11:13 > 0:11:17and get her own built-in bed with yet more storage and Mum and Dad
0:11:17 > 0:11:21get the enlarged back bedroom - a sanctuary where they can relax.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24And, finally, a family bathroom with a step-in bath
0:11:24 > 0:11:27and low-level sinks that will help the girls grow up independently.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29Impressive, isn't it?
0:11:29 > 0:11:31Gabrielle seems to have it all covered
0:11:31 > 0:11:34but I still feel there's room for a little bit of collaboration.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38Now, listen, you know you always say to me
0:11:38 > 0:11:41- I shouldn't get involved with like, design things?- Yes.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44Because I don't actually have the level of expertise to be able
0:11:44 > 0:11:46- to deal with those... - Yes, we know this, yes.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48- I agree with you... - What have you done?
0:11:48 > 0:11:49I've thought about it and I agree with you.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51So that we can talk to each other as equals,
0:11:51 > 0:11:54I've done an intensive craft weekend course.
0:11:54 > 0:11:59- Right.- So I can do, like, shell boxes and, erm, wicker.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02Darling, what...? Is this a craft course from the 1980s?
0:12:02 > 0:12:04I think we can talk as equals.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06Is that insulting in any way or sort of...?
0:12:06 > 0:12:07To me?
0:12:07 > 0:12:08To me!
0:12:08 > 0:12:11It's like me going up to, I don't know, one of these guys
0:12:11 > 0:12:14and saying I've done a two-day course in pipe cleaner arrangements
0:12:14 > 0:12:17and I can put up that scaffolding. It's more complicated.
0:12:17 > 0:12:19But they're proper trades.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21Yeah, but... Goddammit!
0:12:21 > 0:12:23- You pleased to be back, by the way? - No!
0:12:23 > 0:12:26I've only just met you and you've insulted my hair
0:12:26 > 0:12:28and my profession and I don't even like you.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30She does like me a little bit.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34There'll be time for my new-found craft skills, I bet.
0:12:34 > 0:12:36For the moment, it's brute force and craftsmanship as
0:12:36 > 0:12:40the timber frame team get to grips with the first floor extension.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43Look at these boys. Look, it's almost a full extension.
0:12:43 > 0:12:44Look, last bit slotting in there.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47They're really, really going for it, aren't they?
0:12:47 > 0:12:49- Diddy, how's it going? - It's going all right.
0:12:49 > 0:12:50Nice.
0:12:50 > 0:12:51Another ten minutes, we'll be done.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55- He's a good lad, isn't he? - He's a great man, Diddy.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58Yeah! So, we're extending this dormer.
0:12:58 > 0:12:59Yes, we can stitch the new dormer on there.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01We've got a new doorway coming through.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04Where that window is, you can see that's going to punch through
0:13:04 > 0:13:06- and become a doorway. - But we've got to re-support all this,
0:13:06 > 0:13:10move the roof over here in the new trusses, connect it all in,
0:13:10 > 0:13:13re-insulate it, get it tiled and make it work in eight days.
0:13:14 > 0:13:16Look at that!
0:13:16 > 0:13:17That's proper builder's bum.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19Look at that, that's quality that is.
0:13:19 > 0:13:20That's a beauty.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23Can we just congratulate you on the finest builder's bum
0:13:23 > 0:13:25we've actually seen on this series?
0:13:25 > 0:13:26I inherited that from my father.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28Did you?
0:13:29 > 0:13:30Was he good CRAIC?
0:13:30 > 0:13:32THEY LAUGH
0:13:34 > 0:13:35That was very good, very good.
0:13:35 > 0:13:37That was good, wasn't it? Yeah.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43So, the extension will give them the extra space
0:13:43 > 0:13:45and bespoke furniture will make it adaptable...
0:13:45 > 0:13:49That's if Gabrielle can sweet-talk someone into building it.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52Mat, we've got everything here
0:13:52 > 0:13:54but I'm really concerned we're giving you a lot of work.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56I got a bit carried away here.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59It's not a great opening pitch, really, is it?
0:13:59 > 0:14:02Downstairs, I'm thinking storage that looks really grown-up and chic.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05We've got Abigail's special amazing bed
0:14:05 > 0:14:09and I've also annoyingly put drawers in - extra work.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11- This needs to be the coolest bed in Loughborough.- OK.
0:14:11 > 0:14:14This, the bulkhead - nightmare.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17That's why we thought to build in this chest of drawers,
0:14:17 > 0:14:20- but that is a really complicated piece of furniture.- Good idea.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23And we need a really, really special desk.
0:14:23 > 0:14:24Is that all right, darling?
0:14:24 > 0:14:27And I need it sort of by... By next week. Is that all right?
0:14:27 > 0:14:29- Next week?- Yeah.
0:14:29 > 0:14:30Note the use of "darling".
0:14:30 > 0:14:33You've got to give it to her - she's a charmer, isn't she?
0:14:33 > 0:14:35Darling Richard is completely creative and fabulous.
0:14:35 > 0:14:37She's used the "darling" again.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39- We never end up getting chrome, darling, do we?- No, I know...
0:14:39 > 0:14:41So let's not even go down that road.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43Has she been calling you darling on the phone?
0:14:43 > 0:14:44She has today, yeah.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46That's the weapon she uses. It's a weapon...
0:14:46 > 0:14:48- It works, it works.- Does it?
0:14:48 > 0:14:50You've been really sucked in by it.
0:14:50 > 0:14:51Well, Luke did!
0:14:53 > 0:14:57Inside, walls are disappearing, holes are being cut
0:14:57 > 0:15:00and the house is taking on a completely different lay out.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04There you go, first floor access to our extension already.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07The fact that we've actually got a first floor is pretty impressive.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09Are we winning up there, team?
0:15:09 > 0:15:10Certainly are.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14All we need now is the roof.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16Is there anything in the building that doesn't arrive
0:15:16 > 0:15:18on the back of a lorry?
0:15:18 > 0:15:19It's pretty tricky, this roof...
0:15:19 > 0:15:23HIGH-PITCHED VOICE: ..because it's actually quite a high-pitched roof.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25This one. See, there's a gag in there.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28There's not many building jokes but that's one of them.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30HIGH-PITCHED VOICE: It's a very high-pitched roof.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36It would be foolish at this point to say that we're virtually
0:15:36 > 0:15:40through day one and nothing has gone wrong, so I won't.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42Hang on, hang on, too late.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44Ooh... Ooh!
0:15:44 > 0:15:45What's going on?
0:15:45 > 0:15:48- Well, I was scooping...- Don't scoop! - Don't scoop again.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51..some chippings out of the wheelbarrow and I've put my back out.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53- What, properly put your back out? - Ooh!
0:15:53 > 0:15:56Sorry! There?
0:15:56 > 0:15:57There, yeah.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59- Do you want to sit down? - I can't straighten up.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01I'll get you a chair.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03Shall we see if we can find a physio for you?
0:16:03 > 0:16:04I think we might have to.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08Ooh, that feels bad.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14With our resident man mountain out of action, it's a good job
0:16:14 > 0:16:17that our team of builders have been all over this like a rash
0:16:17 > 0:16:20and the house looks nothing like the one we arrived in
0:16:20 > 0:16:22just ten hours ago.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25Amazingly, this is the only room in the house that is the same shape
0:16:25 > 0:16:26as when we walked in this morning.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29This one has changed considerably - it has new windows
0:16:29 > 0:16:32but also has a whole new opening into the extension.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35And if you travel into the backroom, you'll see not only are there
0:16:35 > 0:16:37new windows there but there's a new opening as well.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40As you move through it, you move into the new extension
0:16:40 > 0:16:45and you can see the size of it now, which already has a truss roof on.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47Downstairs, a new opening has been made and the ceiling
0:16:47 > 0:16:49is being held up with acrow props
0:16:49 > 0:16:51because we need to get a new steel in there,
0:16:51 > 0:16:54and if you move through more acrow props into the new extension,
0:16:54 > 0:16:57you can see the full extent of the extra rooms
0:16:57 > 0:16:59that we're putting in downstairs too.
0:16:59 > 0:17:02What I'm saying is this is an exceptional build in just one day.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05Look at it - two-storey extension, no problem.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08MUSIC: That's Not Really Funny by Eels
0:17:11 > 0:17:13The music is very groovy, isn't it?
0:17:13 > 0:17:15But we can't afford to sit back and relax -
0:17:15 > 0:17:18two storeys means we've got double the usual amount
0:17:18 > 0:17:21of bricklaying and as we're going right up to ridge level,
0:17:21 > 0:17:25we've got the added challenge of tying in the new roof with the old.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29I'm worried that you appear to be stripping the roof.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31I thought we were at the stage where we were starting
0:17:31 > 0:17:32to put the roof back together.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35The reason for that is we're trying to get the tiles matched in on
0:17:35 > 0:17:38the front so that it is completely seamless, so when you look from
0:17:38 > 0:17:41the road you can't really tell that the extension has even been built.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43I see, so you take the weathered tiles from the back
0:17:43 > 0:17:46and put it on here, and the back that nobody sees you can put
0:17:46 > 0:17:49- the new tiles on until they've weathered in and...- Exactly, yeah.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52See? Up there for thinking, down there for dancing.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57Clever, these lads. You'd think they'd done it before.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00The extension will give Mark and Jenny the essential space
0:18:00 > 0:18:02they need to cater for all the kids' special needs,
0:18:02 > 0:18:05a job which 18 months ago was made doubly hard
0:18:05 > 0:18:09after Mark was sent to hospital in severe pain.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14The doctor was quite chilled out about everything beforehand.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16You know, cos obviously I said was concerned -
0:18:16 > 0:18:18the doctor had mentioned cancer. He said, you know,
0:18:18 > 0:18:21"The chances of you getting it so young", he said, "where it is",
0:18:21 > 0:18:23he said, "highly unlikely."
0:18:23 > 0:18:27The camera went in and straight away we saw the tumour.
0:18:27 > 0:18:28Daddy!
0:18:28 > 0:18:32They did some...a lot of testing and we were quite concerned
0:18:32 > 0:18:33because it was very advanced
0:18:33 > 0:18:37so it had broken through the lining of the bowel, the intestine.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42Up to this point Mark and Jenny had always managed together,
0:18:42 > 0:18:45but over the last year Mark has undergone gruelling chemotherapy
0:18:45 > 0:18:48and surgery to remove the tumour in his bowel.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52You had a lot to deal with whilst you were trying to
0:18:52 > 0:18:56fight your cancer. Where are you at the moment with your prognosis?
0:18:56 > 0:18:57My oncologist tells me
0:18:57 > 0:19:01the type of cancer that it was is more aggressive the younger you are,
0:19:01 > 0:19:04so I've got 50/50 chance, but I'll take those odds.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08I'm all right with that because if it means that I'm with the children
0:19:08 > 0:19:11and I'm with Jen, I wouldn't swap any of it, if that's what it means.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14If it's, "Mark you could be cancer-free but you wouldn't
0:19:14 > 0:19:18"have your girls and you wouldn't have Jen", I'd take the cancer.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21Because the twins have the difficulties they have,
0:19:21 > 0:19:23does that help you in terms of determination to get better
0:19:23 > 0:19:26or does it hinder you to get better because of the worries?
0:19:26 > 0:19:29You shouldn't be worried, you shouldn't have stress when you're...
0:19:29 > 0:19:32No, the children in no way have hindered my recovery.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34They've aided it, without a doubt.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38It's... It's because of them that I have been determined.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42The thought of cancer getting the better of me...
0:19:42 > 0:19:43It's just not going to happen.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46They've been my three little inspirations
0:19:46 > 0:19:48and I see the adversity that they've gone through.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51That traumatic birth, the way they've developed and grown,
0:19:51 > 0:19:54the illnesses that they've overcome, the hospital appointments,
0:19:54 > 0:19:57the prodding, the poking... You know, they cry
0:19:57 > 0:19:59and get upset about it but they just bounce right back.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02I've always liked to think that I've had a positive attitude
0:20:02 > 0:20:04but they've shown me how to get over things and crack on with it.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07You've seen them, you've seen their smiley faces, and they're just
0:20:07 > 0:20:10so joyful about everything. It's about what they've been through.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13I'll fight all I can to make sure I'm sticking around
0:20:13 > 0:20:15- for a long time to come. - Was it frustrating, though,
0:20:15 > 0:20:18knowing that you couldn't help Jen with the kids?
0:20:18 > 0:20:21To see the stress that Jen's been under has been...
0:20:23 > 0:20:25It's been heart-breaking.
0:20:25 > 0:20:28You know, she's immense, she's awesome,
0:20:28 > 0:20:32and I couldn't have asked for a better mum for my children.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35That's the best way I can describe her - she's incredible.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41You can see it, she's kind of unstoppable.
0:20:42 > 0:20:43She's a force of nature.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46She's the cornerstone of our family without a shadow of a doubt.
0:20:46 > 0:20:51She's the foundations which we're built upon, that's the truth.
0:20:51 > 0:20:52She's incredible.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58Mark's recovery is, of course, one more thing to worry about
0:20:58 > 0:21:00on top of the children's needs.
0:21:00 > 0:21:04Creating a sense of calm and relaxation at home will really help
0:21:04 > 0:21:07and one place we can do that is in the rear garden.
0:21:09 > 0:21:11What are we going to do with this garden, then?
0:21:11 > 0:21:14It's a little square piece of unloved earth, isn't it?
0:21:14 > 0:21:16What are we going to do to make it a loved, usable area?
0:21:16 > 0:21:18Exactly, we've got to pack loads of stuff in here
0:21:18 > 0:21:21that's going to entertain the kids because at the moment,
0:21:21 > 0:21:23what's worrying me is that Mark has been so ill,
0:21:23 > 0:21:25Jenny is just at the end of her tether
0:21:25 > 0:21:27and we need to make this garden a place which is going to
0:21:27 > 0:21:32keep the kids occupied but also safe and not produce any further stress.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37The ambitious plan for the garden is to create an outside space
0:21:37 > 0:21:40with a patio and seating at two different levels
0:21:40 > 0:21:42for Mark and the children.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45Planting around the borders will lead to a water feature,
0:21:45 > 0:21:48new shed and a soft landscape play area
0:21:48 > 0:21:51with a wigwam-come-Wendy house for the girls.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54At the end, there'll be loads to keep all three girls happy.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56Not sure about the wigwam, though.
0:21:56 > 0:21:57Well, I'm not.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59And something made of shells?
0:21:59 > 0:22:01No! No, Nick, there are going to be no...
0:22:01 > 0:22:04And don't you sneak any shell grotto type action in here.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06I'll be very angry.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08- Everybody likes a shell grotto. - They do not!
0:22:08 > 0:22:09'I think they do.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12'The shells might have to wait. There's a tonne of stuff to do
0:22:12 > 0:22:15'before we can even get to the garden.'
0:22:15 > 0:22:17We have something of a pinch point, don't we?
0:22:17 > 0:22:19We have a little pinch point, yes, we do.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21We need to get started on the back garden
0:22:21 > 0:22:23but we can't take the scaffold down until the roof
0:22:23 > 0:22:24and the brickies have finished.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26We need the scaffolding down by tomorrow lunchtime.
0:22:26 > 0:22:28It still makes it a bit tight, doesn't it?
0:22:28 > 0:22:30I think as long as the weather holds...
0:22:30 > 0:22:33If it rains after that and we miss, you know, that will mess us up
0:22:33 > 0:22:35but if the weather holds, we'll be all right.
0:22:35 > 0:22:36- Good news.- What is it?
0:22:36 > 0:22:39- It's going to rain all day tomorrow. - No!- That's nice(!)
0:22:39 > 0:22:42With the pressure on to get the bricks laid and the house
0:22:42 > 0:22:45watertight, it's a huge bonus that the extension went up so fast.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48But now the steels to hold up the new open-plan kitchen/diner
0:22:48 > 0:22:52have arrived - two pieces that need to be bolted together.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54It seems we've got ahead of ourselves, though.
0:22:56 > 0:22:57No, hang on, whoa, whoa, whoa!
0:22:57 > 0:22:59How are we going to get the bolts in?
0:22:59 > 0:23:01He's talking about the bolts to bolt it together.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04We haven't left enough space to fit them.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07Cos the trouble is, on the other side of this beam you've got all of
0:23:07 > 0:23:10the plumbing, all the electrics, all the gas - everything's strapped
0:23:10 > 0:23:13to the back of there, so it will be a nightmare to take it all down.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16If that wasn't in the way, we'd have this.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19The trouble is actually getting the bolts through, isn't it?
0:23:19 > 0:23:22OK, what if you get the steels up to the height that you want them...
0:23:22 > 0:23:25- Yes.- ..and then matching where those are, you drill...you use
0:23:25 > 0:23:27a woodscrew to drill a hole through the beam
0:23:27 > 0:23:30so you can feed the bolt in from this side of the beam to
0:23:30 > 0:23:34all of them and push it all the way through and then bolt it?
0:23:34 > 0:23:36- Yes. He's earned his keep today.- Yes?
0:23:36 > 0:23:37Yes. Like that, that's perfect.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41Right, we're in. Right, we're good.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45It's generally accepted that on any build
0:23:45 > 0:23:47I have one good idea during the course of it. This might be it.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53I'm not sure my talents are really appreciated.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57Of course, the guys really doing the graft here are Loughborough's elite.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00It never ceases to amaze me not only that they turn up,
0:24:00 > 0:24:03but also that it actually seems to work.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05Thank you, gentlemen.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07It's kind of mad how it happens, though, isn't it?
0:24:07 > 0:24:09It is, about 300mph, yeah.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11Even though there's like 50 blokes on-site all day,
0:24:11 > 0:24:14it's just... I don't know, it's hard to explain it. It just flows.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17People just get out of the way of each other and it just happens.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19- Are you glad you joined in, though? - Yeah.- Oh, definitely.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21Do it again. Definitely.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24You're not being paid, but you're getting something out of this?
0:24:24 > 0:24:27Some sleep, cos I'm knackered by the time I get home.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30Well, they've earned a decent kip and they'll need it
0:24:30 > 0:24:32if we're going to move on into the next week.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35As day three looms, so does the weather.
0:24:43 > 0:24:46We had a drop of the old rain last night.
0:24:46 > 0:24:47Yeah.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50Some bloke drowned in that wheelbarrow last night.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52It's a good job that was covered up, wasn't it?
0:24:52 > 0:24:54Yeah, otherwise I think it would have been
0:24:54 > 0:24:56a bit of a mess this morning to sort out.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58You've just got the last run to go now, haven't you?
0:24:58 > 0:25:00Just the last bit, yeah, about two metres or so.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02Are they bringing the breakfast down to us again...?
0:25:02 > 0:25:05You haven't started work yet and you're asking where breakfast is!
0:25:05 > 0:25:07How do you think that poor bloke feels?
0:25:07 > 0:25:09He's not going to have any breakfast today, is he?
0:25:09 > 0:25:11THEY LAUGH
0:25:11 > 0:25:15An army marches on its stomach and the army seems to have grown.
0:25:17 > 0:25:19The plasterers have taken over the house.
0:25:19 > 0:25:23Basically, cos we've altered every room, every room needs plastering,
0:25:23 > 0:25:25so we're going to get it all boarded today
0:25:25 > 0:25:28and have a go at skimming last thing tonight.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30It'll be good.
0:25:32 > 0:25:36Outside, Jules is doing his best to make himself useful with a bad back.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38NICK LAUGHS
0:25:38 > 0:25:40It's essentially a management role.
0:25:40 > 0:25:43Right, let's get the shed down, boys, let's move!
0:25:43 > 0:25:46There we go, lovely.
0:25:46 > 0:25:47Ha-ha! He's Buster Keaton.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50Hey, there's no time to sit down on the job, though, Jules!
0:25:50 > 0:25:52Hang on, how does he always manage that?
0:25:53 > 0:25:57His back's killing him so we thought we'd get him a job with a seat.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00This is heaven to me. Absolute heaven.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03He does like a digger or a tractor.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05It's the brickies who face the biggest problems.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08They're doing their best to carry on under cover and though they are
0:26:08 > 0:26:12up to the second floor, last night's rain hasn't done them any favours.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15At the minute, we're struggling a little bit.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17We're aiming for lunchtime to be finished
0:26:17 > 0:26:20so we can get the joiners up here to fix the bargeboards
0:26:20 > 0:26:24and soffits, but the wet brick situation is not helping.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26You can see we're having to put the tissue in to try
0:26:26 > 0:26:29and absorb the water that's coming out of the mix.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32You can see it sinking, look, pushing down the one above
0:26:32 > 0:26:34and the joint's coming out of that one there.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37When you scrape it all off, look. See all the water in it coming out?
0:26:37 > 0:26:40We're just hoping that we can dry them enough
0:26:40 > 0:26:42to go on, cos obviously the further up you go,
0:26:42 > 0:26:44the more weight going down on the wet mix.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46If you don't smile, it won't change anything.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48You've got to keep smiling.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51You know, that's a philosophy that Mark
0:26:51 > 0:26:53and Jenny understand better than most.
0:26:53 > 0:26:57Despite all their worries, they have always stayed positive right back
0:26:57 > 0:27:00to the difficulties of having children in the first place.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02After seven years of trying,
0:27:02 > 0:27:05the fact that the children are even here at all is little short
0:27:05 > 0:27:08of a miracle, and something Gabrielle wants to celebrate.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12Smile! Cheese.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14Yeah, I think you're going to crop like that.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19Just looking at your girls now... I mean, could you believe
0:27:19 > 0:27:21three years ago that we'd be here?
0:27:21 > 0:27:23Not at all, not at all.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26I wouldn't have even thought we'd have a family let alone three
0:27:26 > 0:27:29and being here now, seeing them smiling
0:27:29 > 0:27:32and happy is just beyond our wildest dreams.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34Do you like it?
0:27:34 > 0:27:36- Yeah. - Yeah, give us a wave.
0:27:38 > 0:27:40How do you feel about adaptation for the girls?
0:27:40 > 0:27:43I mean, how far do you want me to go?
0:27:43 > 0:27:45I want life to be easy for them at home
0:27:45 > 0:27:48because home is the place to relax in. You know, they're going
0:27:48 > 0:27:51to have enough struggles out in the big wide world which is not adapted
0:27:51 > 0:27:55to smaller people - it's all about the average-height person out there.
0:27:55 > 0:27:58Just be comfy at home and not have to struggle
0:27:58 > 0:27:59and ask for help all the time.
0:27:59 > 0:28:01And so... I mean, Mark seems to me
0:28:01 > 0:28:04the kind of guy who never puts himself first.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06- I mean, he seems like... - He puts everybody else first.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09When you meet him, you'd never know how ill he is.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12This last year, he's been bedridden for several months at a time.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15He really has been so poorly and in so much pain.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17Every day he keeps telling me, "I'm not going anywhere."
0:28:17 > 0:28:20I just can't bear the thought of life without him.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23And those girls, they look up to him.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25They just think he's amazing.
0:28:32 > 0:28:34Well, he's so determined.
0:28:34 > 0:28:35He is, he is.
0:28:35 > 0:28:39He's what keeps me going. He gives me inner strength to keep
0:28:39 > 0:28:42going with the girls and doing everything that they need
0:28:42 > 0:28:47to keep them growing up as positive adults,
0:28:47 > 0:28:50knowing they're amazing as they are.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57Bringing up children for anyone can be an uphill struggle.
0:28:57 > 0:29:00Jenny and Mark's hill is steeper than most
0:29:00 > 0:29:03and they need each other to get to the top.
0:29:06 > 0:29:09On-site, we've been climbing our own hill. The brickies have put up
0:29:09 > 0:29:13a front against the weather and beaten the rain into submission.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16Makes you feel better, a bit of sun on your back.
0:29:16 > 0:29:20Unfortunately, Jules's back will need more than a bit of sun.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22If you lift your arms up...
0:29:22 > 0:29:25- Is that about where you want it? - Is that comfortable?
0:29:25 > 0:29:28- Not really.- No?
0:29:28 > 0:29:31That's your weaker side, so we've put a splint to brace it up
0:29:31 > 0:29:34- so you should start...- That will start straightening you up.
0:29:34 > 0:29:35Have a little walk and see how that feels.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37MUSIC: Thriller by Michael Jackson
0:29:37 > 0:29:40- Yeah, he's moving better, isn't he? - Yeah, oh, definitely.
0:29:40 > 0:29:42You're looking a lot better.
0:29:42 > 0:29:44- It doesn't look silly at all, does it?- Not in the least, no.
0:29:44 > 0:29:49That is textbook orthopaedic carpentry.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52OK, it's not textbook treatment, and if you ever
0:29:52 > 0:29:56do your back in, seek advice from a doctor - certainly not us.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59And there's the final tile going on now.
0:29:59 > 0:30:01Look at that, look at that.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04That's the tiling done, the roof, the bricklaying's done,
0:30:04 > 0:30:09get the scaffold down, get the scaffold out, get the garden in. Yes!
0:30:09 > 0:30:12That is the last brick in the gable.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14THEY CHEER
0:30:15 > 0:30:19Over 3,000 bricks in three days is unbelievable.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27As we pass the halfway stage, the scaff can at last come down to
0:30:27 > 0:30:30reveal the seamless extension.
0:30:31 > 0:30:33And Jules has risen from the dead...
0:30:33 > 0:30:36I was S-shaped, beginning of the week...
0:30:37 > 0:30:41..now I'm a T today.
0:30:42 > 0:30:46..and can now show the levels of leadership we love him for.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49Right, c'mon, lads, we need a little bit of a small army
0:30:49 > 0:30:50out in this garden.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53Need a little bit of a push on today, chaps.
0:30:55 > 0:30:59We want materials. We're a bit short of materials. The main one is tea.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01THEY LAUGH
0:31:01 > 0:31:03We'll need more than tea
0:31:03 > 0:31:06if we're going to get this done in less than four days.
0:31:06 > 0:31:08Put the kettle on, someone!
0:31:08 > 0:31:10We've had some damaged cables.
0:31:10 > 0:31:11Perhaps no, then.
0:31:11 > 0:31:13We've had a ring main that's been drilled through
0:31:13 > 0:31:16and a cooker cable that's been drilled through.
0:31:16 > 0:31:19The electricians are going in now, having to drill extra holes
0:31:19 > 0:31:22to try and get in there to fix the problem, and then obviously
0:31:22 > 0:31:25now we've got to wait to do the flooring, to get straight in
0:31:25 > 0:31:29and do the utility bit, all because of this little nick in a wire.
0:31:29 > 0:31:32Oh, it's all plastered and everything, ain't it?
0:31:32 > 0:31:34Going to have to chop out down there.
0:31:34 > 0:31:36You've got to. You've got to, ain't we?
0:31:37 > 0:31:41Chris is going to be seriously upset.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44At least there's one happy chappie out the front.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47HE LAUGHS
0:31:47 > 0:31:50If only we could all be as excited about a bit of tarmac.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53It's quite nerve-racking.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56She's loving it, ain't she?
0:31:56 > 0:31:57She's coming over to the dark side.
0:32:00 > 0:32:05It's kind of like extreme hoovering or something. It's really scary.
0:32:05 > 0:32:08- Do you like it? - I do, actually, weirdly like it.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11And out the back they're playing catch-up,
0:32:11 > 0:32:13laying the patio in the garden.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18It's not the biggest space in the world,
0:32:18 > 0:32:21but thanks to Richard and these guys. We need to fit
0:32:21 > 0:32:24in room for the kids. Exercise for them is so important because
0:32:24 > 0:32:28with Achondroplasia obesity can be a problem, so we really needed to cram
0:32:28 > 0:32:31loads into this space and I'm really, really excited.
0:32:31 > 0:32:33- It's looking good. - Have you enjoyed yourself so far?
0:32:33 > 0:32:36I mean, I know you're under pressure now but...
0:32:36 > 0:32:38Yeah, you can't not enjoy it. It's great.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41We've not got long left now to get it all down, but going all right.
0:32:41 > 0:32:42He sounds a bit stressed, doesn't he?
0:32:42 > 0:32:45- He's looking a bit tense now. - You were looking calm
0:32:45 > 0:32:47- when I spoke to you earlier on in the week.- Just a bit more tense now
0:32:47 > 0:32:50but, we've got a lot of good guys here, so by the end of today
0:32:50 > 0:32:53we're hoping to have the turf down and it'll look like a garden.
0:32:53 > 0:32:56You know, at this rate we might even beat the sparks.
0:32:56 > 0:32:58We took a bit of plasterboard out
0:32:58 > 0:33:01but we're going to tidy up obviously. But that's unlucky.
0:33:02 > 0:33:06- Oh, my giddy... - All right, sausage. We've, erm...
0:33:06 > 0:33:07Smashed the wall to pieces.
0:33:07 > 0:33:08Yeah.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11To patch and repair that, minimum an hour, and it's going to be
0:33:11 > 0:33:15soaking wet when that fridge goes in in front of it.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18Yes, but you're the man to do it, Chris,
0:33:18 > 0:33:21and whilst they wait for Chris to patch up Billy's trail
0:33:21 > 0:33:24of destruction, the kitchen boys are adding more bespoke features,
0:33:24 > 0:33:27simple things that will make the twins' lives so much easier.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32This is a pull-out drawer for the girls so they can stand on it
0:33:32 > 0:33:36and wash at the sink, and that's also non-slip as well,
0:33:36 > 0:33:37so the girls don't trip.
0:33:39 > 0:33:41A bespoke low-level worktop is going in
0:33:41 > 0:33:45and Gabrielle's darling chippy is back with her list of demands.
0:33:45 > 0:33:48I did the whole lot, just me on my own in my garage.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50It took me two days, two long days.
0:33:50 > 0:33:54Still worthwhile. I'll be looking forward to seeing it done.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57With a bespoke fit-out like this, the devil is in the detail.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02The workflow at the moment is if we were trying to build a tree,
0:34:02 > 0:34:06which I know sounds crazy, but you know there's a sort of big
0:34:06 > 0:34:09brushstrokes, there's the building the trunk and the branches
0:34:09 > 0:34:13and getting those in place, and then we've got to stick each tiny leaf
0:34:13 > 0:34:16on which is a really time-consuming and really crucial bit.
0:34:16 > 0:34:20And that's where we can lose the time. I'm feeling quite tense today.
0:34:20 > 0:34:22Who builds a tree?
0:34:22 > 0:34:24What she needs is support and encouragement I think.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27Are we going to dangle a low-hanging pendant over a table
0:34:27 > 0:34:28that they might move one day,
0:34:28 > 0:34:31leaving a weirdly hanging pendant in the middle of the room?
0:34:31 > 0:34:33Where else are they going to put their dining table,
0:34:33 > 0:34:35the heart of their home, and that they really need?
0:34:35 > 0:34:38OK, but let's have a party tonight. Let's invite everybody around,
0:34:38 > 0:34:40let's move the table so that we can all have a little dancing space.
0:34:40 > 0:34:43Great. Then all night he's like...
0:34:43 > 0:34:46- That's not going to work, is it? - You're making me feel tired.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49Thanks for that. Here we go. Thanks very much. Look. So...
0:34:49 > 0:34:51I don't think that's going to get in the way of a man
0:34:51 > 0:34:54- that's six inches taller than me. - Well, he'll see it, won't he?
0:34:54 > 0:34:57See it? He'll be able to look over it!
0:34:57 > 0:34:59Well, that's all right then, he won't hit it then, will he?
0:34:59 > 0:35:02There's a kind of logic in there somewhere, isn't there?
0:35:02 > 0:35:04With only a day and a half left, Gabrielle will need everyone
0:35:04 > 0:35:07on site to make the house look extraordinary.
0:35:07 > 0:35:10But her list of things to do seems to be getting longer.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14I can instantly see that that's got a massive flaw in it.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16Where's tea break one?
0:35:16 > 0:35:18Where's ten o'clock snack?
0:35:18 > 0:35:21Where's tea break two? Where's lunch?
0:35:21 > 0:35:24I'd better get her out, she's done this all wrong.
0:35:24 > 0:35:27Go on, Mark. You tell her, mate. This should be funny.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29- Where's Gabbers?- I'm here!
0:35:29 > 0:35:32- See...- What?- Hello.- Is that a list?
0:35:32 > 0:35:36That's a list, yeah. I want to go through that list...
0:35:36 > 0:35:39- with you.- Why is there only two things crossed off it?
0:35:39 > 0:35:43Just cross all these things off this list and then come back to me, OK?
0:35:46 > 0:35:49See, not one "darling", not one "darling".
0:35:49 > 0:35:51Time for tea break number one, then.
0:35:52 > 0:35:54Look at this!
0:35:54 > 0:35:56Does anybody remember Morph?
0:35:56 > 0:35:59Oh, look at Mark with the headache.
0:35:59 > 0:36:01Maureen, who brought us this amazing cake,
0:36:01 > 0:36:04also happens to be the family friend who first told us
0:36:04 > 0:36:05of Mark and Jenny's story.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10Jenny especially, I think she's stayed so strong and she's had
0:36:10 > 0:36:13so much to cope with looking after Mark as well as looking after
0:36:13 > 0:36:16the children, but they're... I don't know if you've met them?
0:36:16 > 0:36:19- Oh, they're amazing.- Beautiful little girls.- And lovely and...
0:36:19 > 0:36:20- And happy.- Yes.
0:36:20 > 0:36:23So you write to us because you think they need the space and now
0:36:23 > 0:36:26here you are and there's about 80 builders crawling all over it.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28- Awesome.- And all working so hard.
0:36:28 > 0:36:30It's going to make such a difference to them, isn't it?
0:36:30 > 0:36:34Oh, yes, just space for those little girls to live...
0:36:34 > 0:36:36so thank you all very much.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40You know everyone I've met who knows Jenny
0:36:40 > 0:36:44and Mark talk of how positive they are, but how does Jenny,
0:36:44 > 0:36:47with the world on her shoulders, manage to stay so strong?
0:36:47 > 0:36:50On top of everything else you're having to deal with,
0:36:50 > 0:36:51of course there's Mark's illness.
0:36:51 > 0:36:55You must have got to a point where you just think, "Isn't that enough?"
0:36:55 > 0:37:00We think that quite often. Anybody would, I think. "Why us?
0:37:00 > 0:37:04"Surely this is the last thing. We can't have any more."
0:37:04 > 0:37:07I am scared, very scared.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10He's got to the point now where we think he's beaten it.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13Mark seems very confident that it's not coming back.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16I have to say that I'm not quite as confident.
0:37:20 > 0:37:25So that's why we try not to think too much about that as an option.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29- It's been a ridiculous avalanche of things...- Yeah.
0:37:29 > 0:37:30..falling on the family
0:37:30 > 0:37:34but mostly falling on you because, of course you've had to look after
0:37:34 > 0:37:38the twins, but you've also had to look after Mark with his illness.
0:37:38 > 0:37:42I think that's what's upset him the most
0:37:42 > 0:37:46is the fact that I've had to do more.
0:37:46 > 0:37:51Emelia, she was so poorly in January, she was in intensive care
0:37:51 > 0:37:53on a ventilator for eight days.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55Honestly thought we were going to lose her,
0:37:55 > 0:37:58and at that point I wanted to curl up in a corner.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03And that was when I was thinking, "Mark can't leave me.
0:38:03 > 0:38:05"I can't do this on my own."
0:38:06 > 0:38:11That's why we try not to think too much down those lines
0:38:11 > 0:38:14because that's just not going to happen. It's not allowed to happen.
0:38:14 > 0:38:18We've been through a lot together over the last five or six years.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20We can't let this defeat us.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27Dealing with the unpredictability of cancer at the same time
0:38:27 > 0:38:30as having to cope with the frailty of the twins
0:38:30 > 0:38:33is an unthinkable situation,
0:38:33 > 0:38:35but whatever future this family face,
0:38:35 > 0:38:39we've got just one day left to deliver the sanctuary they need.
0:38:39 > 0:38:42I'm thinking calming blues, tranquil greens.
0:38:42 > 0:38:46What would we describe this colour as in here today? Battleship grey?
0:38:46 > 0:38:50- No, no, it's blue.- What about if we were to do one of the walls orange?
0:38:50 > 0:38:51It would clash very badly with my hair.
0:38:51 > 0:38:54You never decorate in the same colour as your skin or hair.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56- Don't you?- No.- Don't you?
0:38:56 > 0:38:58Otherwise it will look horrible and weird.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00My house is a tribute to me.
0:39:00 > 0:39:02Have you decorated the walls in your hair colour?
0:39:02 > 0:39:05- In my hair, in my...- Grecian 2,000. - Yeah! Yeah.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10Mahogany badger or whatever it is you wear.
0:39:10 > 0:39:11Mahogany badger!
0:39:11 > 0:39:14Other gents' hair colour products are available by the way.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18I'm also a fox. The grey carries on in the garden too.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21Goes with the fence, the posts and everything, breaks everything up.
0:39:21 > 0:39:25Nice contrast with the garden. So now it's 50 sheds of grey, you know!
0:39:25 > 0:39:26NICK LAUGHS
0:39:26 > 0:39:28Nice to see a bit of greenery in there too though.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31It's amazing what a bit of turf can do to brighten things up.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34And don't you know it's what everyone's wearing this year?
0:39:34 > 0:39:38- Look at that.- Look at that. - Look at that.
0:39:38 > 0:39:42He's a woodgy-woodgy-woodgy-woo!
0:39:42 > 0:39:45- He's a turf bear. - THEY LAUGH
0:39:48 > 0:39:51Turn anticlockwise a little bit. That's it. Perfect.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54It's all coming together quite nicely, isn't it?
0:39:54 > 0:39:57- Yes, it's looking good.- Do you like the wigwam?- I'm loving the wigwam.
0:39:57 > 0:39:59I'm going to build one for my daughters, I think.
0:39:59 > 0:40:02I like that. It's nice, ain't it?
0:40:02 > 0:40:04They may have had only a few days but the garden could be the
0:40:04 > 0:40:08crowning glory of the build, the sod on the turf bear's head so to speak.
0:40:08 > 0:40:11It's complicated inside. Any space that the whole
0:40:11 > 0:40:13family use will always be difficult
0:40:13 > 0:40:16when the height range from daughter to Dad is several feet.
0:40:16 > 0:40:20Dad is 6'7". Where does 6'7" go to?
0:40:20 > 0:40:22Just there, so he's got about an inch.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26- Above his head?- Yeah, for the shower, so we'll have to take it up.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29In the bathroom we're putting in steps for the bath
0:40:29 > 0:40:30and low-level sinks for the girls.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33Simple things that make all the difference.
0:40:33 > 0:40:36These guys aren't taking any short-cuts.
0:40:36 > 0:40:40You know, just to give a week of my time back to other people
0:40:40 > 0:40:42that are unfortunate, it's brilliant.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45I can walk away from here with my head held high knowing that
0:40:45 > 0:40:48I've done something for somebody else which is good.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53Yeah, blood, sweat and tears have gone into this place,
0:40:53 > 0:40:57together with some considerable skill.
0:40:57 > 0:41:00You know I took this craft course so that we could talk as equals,
0:41:00 > 0:41:02and I've been working on something to go into the house,
0:41:02 > 0:41:05- something special. I think you'll like this.- Am I going to be upset?
0:41:05 > 0:41:07# Ta-ra! #
0:41:07 > 0:41:10- Look at that! Ain't it beautiful? - Did you actually make that yourself?
0:41:10 > 0:41:13I told you that you could make beautiful things with shells
0:41:13 > 0:41:17and yet you pooh-poohed the idea and yet here before your very eyes...
0:41:17 > 0:41:19- What do you think, Christopher? - It's...beautiful.
0:41:19 > 0:41:23- Reminds me of pirates. You know, going back to the sea.- Yes, yes.
0:41:23 > 0:41:26Seriously, cider jug - seaside.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29- That is...- Jules, tell the truth. He needs to be stopped.
0:41:29 > 0:41:30That is class.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32That says England. It says...
0:41:32 > 0:41:34It says midlife crisis with limpets
0:41:34 > 0:41:37and we're not having it in the house, OK? I'm taking it away.
0:41:37 > 0:41:39I'm going.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42- Midlife crisis! - What a fantastic exit.
0:41:42 > 0:41:44THEY LAUGH
0:41:44 > 0:41:46I'm trying to storm off and it went wrong
0:41:46 > 0:41:49and I went in the wrong direction. I'm storming off in this way.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54I think she got away with it, kind of, didn't she?
0:41:54 > 0:41:57There's only a few hours left. Time to call in the troops.
0:41:57 > 0:42:00TRUMPETLIKE PARPING
0:42:06 > 0:42:09Getting all those last-minute details right is crucial,
0:42:09 > 0:42:12but it is slowing us down.
0:42:12 > 0:42:13We're still waiting.
0:42:13 > 0:42:16Can you just go and get me a really lovely decorator up here?
0:42:16 > 0:42:19There's a wardrobe that's materialised here
0:42:19 > 0:42:20that's not finished.
0:42:20 > 0:42:2252 cushions have been delivered.
0:42:22 > 0:42:25How can we have 52 cushions and they're all wrong?
0:42:25 > 0:42:27We mustn't let Nick know either.
0:42:27 > 0:42:29He must not be allowed anywhere near me now cos I will cry.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32With so many in the house we're falling over each other to finish.
0:42:32 > 0:42:35How is it going in there cos I'm not being allowed in, am I?
0:42:35 > 0:42:38No, you're not. We definitely don't need you at this point. We're fine.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40Everything's fine so there's nothing to see.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42Nothing to see? How's that going to work on telly?
0:42:42 > 0:42:46And there is - from bathrooms to kitchens, bedrooms to gardens,
0:42:46 > 0:42:49it's left to Loughborough's finest to hold it together
0:42:49 > 0:42:51for the final push for the finish.
0:42:51 > 0:42:53'We've been doing them for a few years now
0:42:53 > 0:42:56'and it's still amazing how it all comes together and gets done.'
0:42:56 > 0:42:58It started from a little acorn, didn't it?
0:42:58 > 0:43:01And now it's mushroomed into a coconut.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04Do they? No, they don't go into coconuts, do they, acorns?
0:43:04 > 0:43:06THEY LAUGH
0:43:06 > 0:43:09Let's face it, without this incredible team of heroes
0:43:09 > 0:43:11we would never even have got past the front door,
0:43:11 > 0:43:13let alone the back garden.
0:43:13 > 0:43:17Isn't it gorgeous? Isn't it absolutely gorgeous?
0:43:17 > 0:43:18But with them...
0:43:20 > 0:43:21..it's job done.
0:43:26 > 0:43:30Nine days ago we met a family crammed into a home
0:43:30 > 0:43:32that could never meet their needs.
0:43:32 > 0:43:35The world is not adapted to smaller people.
0:43:35 > 0:43:37It's adapted to average-height people.
0:43:37 > 0:43:41While they fought against their home to give their children independence,
0:43:41 > 0:43:44Mark had to fight his own battle against cancer.
0:43:45 > 0:43:48They've been my three little inspirations.
0:43:48 > 0:43:51Because of them, I am determined to make sure that I'm sticking around
0:43:51 > 0:43:53for a long time to come.
0:43:53 > 0:43:54Whatever future they face,
0:43:54 > 0:43:57they needed a home for the girls to grow up in
0:43:57 > 0:44:01and one where Mark can have every chance of a full recovery.
0:44:03 > 0:44:06So that's where these guys stepped in to help out.
0:44:06 > 0:44:09We built a seamless two storey extension to give them
0:44:09 > 0:44:11the extra space they so need.
0:44:13 > 0:44:15Inside, we transformed their minuscule kitchen
0:44:15 > 0:44:20and dining room into a light, bright, open-plan space
0:44:20 > 0:44:24with special features for the whole family, tall and short alike.
0:44:26 > 0:44:29We managed to put in a utility room where they can store medical kit
0:44:29 > 0:44:33and even squeezed in a low-level toilet for the kids.
0:44:33 > 0:44:37Their old cluttered living room has been transformed to make a warm and
0:44:37 > 0:44:41inviting family space where the kids can be seen but their stuff can't.
0:44:44 > 0:44:48Upstairs, we've turned Abigail's tiny box room into a large room
0:44:48 > 0:44:51for the twins where they can each have their own space
0:44:51 > 0:44:54with plenty of room for all their medical equipment.
0:44:54 > 0:44:56It's a proper little girl's room, isn't it?
0:44:58 > 0:45:00Mum and Dad have swapped with Abigail.
0:45:00 > 0:45:03She now gets a beautiful bedroom
0:45:03 > 0:45:05with a beautiful theatrical bed and storage.
0:45:07 > 0:45:12In return, her old room has been enlarged to give Mum and Dad
0:45:12 > 0:45:16a perfect sanctuary from the kids, and to help Mark's recovery.
0:45:18 > 0:45:23Unlike the old one, the new bigger family bathroom is both luxurious
0:45:23 > 0:45:25and practical with a step-in bath,
0:45:25 > 0:45:29low-level shower controls, and accessible sink for the girls.
0:45:30 > 0:45:34And outside is now a haven for the whole family,
0:45:34 > 0:45:36where the kids can safely run amok.
0:45:36 > 0:45:39Even the tepee is a triumph.
0:45:39 > 0:45:43Nine days' work for a lifetime of enjoyment.
0:45:49 > 0:45:52So, it's been a tough couple of years as we know,
0:45:52 > 0:45:55and it's been kind of difficult to do the things you needed to
0:45:55 > 0:45:58do in the house, so if you're ready, open your eyes.
0:46:01 > 0:46:03HE GASPS
0:46:03 > 0:46:05Wow.
0:46:05 > 0:46:09Holy Moley! That is incredible.
0:46:10 > 0:46:13Look at the pictures. That's beautiful.
0:46:15 > 0:46:20- I can't even...- Absolutely beautiful.- How have you...? Wow.
0:46:20 > 0:46:23I wanted to have some words but I just don't.
0:46:23 > 0:46:26I've got nothing, I've got nothing. That is stunning.
0:46:26 > 0:46:28That is going to be great for the girls. Look at that.
0:46:28 > 0:46:31That is going to be amazing for the girls and it just fits in as well.
0:46:31 > 0:46:34It doesn't look out of place or special. It's part of it.
0:46:34 > 0:46:37There's lots of really clever tricks in here to make this house
0:46:37 > 0:46:40completely future-proof for the girls.
0:46:40 > 0:46:42As the girls get older the difficulty for them
0:46:42 > 0:46:44is actually using the standard sink, so if we look,
0:46:44 > 0:46:47what they've done is they've built-in a step at the bottom here
0:46:47 > 0:46:49so they'll be able to step-up and use the sink properly.
0:46:49 > 0:46:51- That's brill...- That's clever.
0:46:51 > 0:46:52That's their job from now on then.
0:46:52 > 0:46:55We'll get them cracking on that as soon as we can!
0:46:55 > 0:46:57Get them learning to do the washing up really quickly.
0:47:00 > 0:47:02It's all about building independence, isn't it?
0:47:02 > 0:47:05Yeah, that's exactly what we wanted for them, is for them
0:47:05 > 0:47:08to be able to be independent and not struggle to do things.
0:47:11 > 0:47:13Look at that little corner over there.
0:47:13 > 0:47:15- That is just incredible. - Love that little bench.
0:47:15 > 0:47:17That's fantastic.
0:47:17 > 0:47:18It's lovely, isn't it?
0:47:18 > 0:47:21That is going to be great. "Do your homework, children!"
0:47:21 > 0:47:24The height of that is set for children at the moment,
0:47:24 > 0:47:27but is also set for the right size for the girls when they grow up
0:47:27 > 0:47:29so they've always got somewhere to work that's the right level.
0:47:29 > 0:47:33- That's fantastic.- There's so much thought gone into this, I can't even...- It has.
0:47:33 > 0:47:36So come through and have a look at your living room as well.
0:47:39 > 0:47:41That's beautiful. Oh, wow.
0:47:45 > 0:47:49- It's like a real grown-up... - It is. It's like...
0:47:49 > 0:47:53It is beautiful. I love the way it all just goes through as well.
0:47:53 > 0:47:56Bespoke made shelves. The woodwork throughout is just stunning.
0:47:56 > 0:47:59- It is.- Look at the design of the cabinet there. - Yeah, that's beautiful.
0:47:59 > 0:48:04- What's cute about this is, obviously this one is like storage.- Uh-huh.
0:48:04 > 0:48:05This one though...
0:48:07 > 0:48:09BOTH: Oh!
0:48:09 > 0:48:12- That's incredible. - How amazing is that?
0:48:12 > 0:48:14Yes, a little Wendy house for the girls to play with.
0:48:14 > 0:48:17They are going to love that.
0:48:17 > 0:48:20- So how have we done so far? - Spot-on.- Brilliant.
0:48:20 > 0:48:23- Spot-on. It's amazing.- Really? - 100 out of 10. Superb.
0:48:23 > 0:48:26The work that's gone into this, I mean, to my untrained eye
0:48:26 > 0:48:29I can just see the absolute quality just dripping everywhere.
0:48:29 > 0:48:32It's like something out of a magazine or something. It's...
0:48:32 > 0:48:35And the thought that's gone into it as well is phenomenal.
0:48:35 > 0:48:38You've only seen half of it so far. Are you ready to go and have a look at some more?
0:48:38 > 0:48:40- Yeah.- OK, better get on. Come on.
0:48:45 > 0:48:47- Oh, wow.- Wow.
0:48:47 > 0:48:50My goodness. Look at the steps going up to the bath.
0:48:50 > 0:48:54But obviously a seven foot shower head for you, low level control for the kids.
0:48:54 > 0:48:56- That is amazing.- That is amazing.
0:48:56 > 0:49:00I need a better vocabulary to just express what I'm feeling at the minute.
0:49:00 > 0:49:02- Want to see some bedrooms?- Yes, please.- Come with me.
0:49:09 > 0:49:11HE LAUGHS
0:49:11 > 0:49:15Look at the space. What an absolutely brilliant room
0:49:15 > 0:49:17for them to grow up in. That is just...
0:49:17 > 0:49:20- That is amazing.- Yeah, I love the decor as well with the stars.
0:49:20 > 0:49:23There's a couple of other nice, cute things as well which I'll
0:49:23 > 0:49:26draw your attention to. First of all, a local lady makes costumes,
0:49:26 > 0:49:29she specifically made the costumes for each of the girls.
0:49:29 > 0:49:32But also in the cupboard here as well there's a low-level rail...
0:49:32 > 0:49:34- Oh, that's clever.- Yeah. - ..so that the girls can...
0:49:34 > 0:49:36Pick their own clothes.
0:49:36 > 0:49:38So that there's no sense of being out of reach of anything.
0:49:38 > 0:49:41- Brilliant.- Brilliant.- What a superb bedroom for them.
0:49:41 > 0:49:45- Happy?- Yes.- Next one?- Yes, please. - Abigail?- Yeah.- Let's come this way.
0:49:52 > 0:49:53HE LAUGHS
0:49:53 > 0:49:55Look at the bed!
0:49:55 > 0:49:59- She's going to love it. - She's going to adore that.
0:49:59 > 0:50:02- That is a bedroom and a half, isn't it?- It is, isn't it?
0:50:02 > 0:50:04She is going to absolutely love it.
0:50:04 > 0:50:07You need somewhere to be as well to relax, so come with me.
0:50:16 > 0:50:17My goodness!
0:50:18 > 0:50:20This is a grown-up's bedroom, isn't it?
0:50:20 > 0:50:22It is, isn't it?
0:50:22 > 0:50:24- This is just incredible.- Like it?
0:50:24 > 0:50:27- I love it, love the decor, love the...- It's beautiful.
0:50:27 > 0:50:29Who'd have thought we'd ever have a bedroom that was big enough
0:50:29 > 0:50:31- to have a chair in it.- Yeah. - The word came through that
0:50:31 > 0:50:34you wanted a little reading spot where you could go and read.
0:50:34 > 0:50:36Important to recharge your batteries now and again.
0:50:36 > 0:50:39It sounds like heaven. Yeah, it really does.
0:50:39 > 0:50:40Without having the stress of,
0:50:40 > 0:50:43- "What are we going to do about this house?"- Yeah, absolutely.
0:50:43 > 0:50:45The worry about the house about safety for the girls,
0:50:45 > 0:50:48that's just gone and there's room for things like the physio
0:50:48 > 0:50:51and the stuff that the girls need to do to make sure that they're
0:50:51 > 0:50:54well enough to deal with everything that life's throwing at them.
0:50:54 > 0:50:57From the girls walking into the house there's going to be things
0:50:57 > 0:50:59that they can do that they weren't able to do in the old place.
0:50:59 > 0:51:01- Talking of which, shall we find out? - Yeah.
0:51:06 > 0:51:08Wow! Doesn't it look different?
0:51:08 > 0:51:10Going to sit at the table?
0:51:10 > 0:51:13- Go and sit on the chair.- Yeah. - What do you think?
0:51:13 > 0:51:16Will that be all right for chilling out in an evening?
0:51:16 > 0:51:18Where's the bedrooms, Abigail?
0:51:21 > 0:51:24Wow.
0:51:24 > 0:51:28- Look at your new bedroom.- Look at your new bedroom. This is yours.
0:51:28 > 0:51:30Want to have a look?
0:51:31 > 0:51:33Where do you think your bed is, Katie?
0:51:35 > 0:51:38Look. Your new bed. What do you think?
0:51:38 > 0:51:39SHE EXCLAIMS
0:51:39 > 0:51:42Is it really nice? Want to try your new cot?
0:51:46 > 0:51:49Look at those pretty dresses. Look at those.
0:51:49 > 0:51:51What do you think of these pretty dresses?
0:51:51 > 0:51:53Does Emelia like the look of those?
0:51:53 > 0:51:55Oh, look how lovely they are.
0:51:55 > 0:51:58- Yeah. Is that really nice? Does that suit you?- I like them.
0:51:58 > 0:52:00Oh, I think you'll like that, won't you?
0:52:00 > 0:52:02I think they've selected those already.
0:52:02 > 0:52:05Look. All sparkly. Isn't that beautiful?
0:52:12 > 0:52:14This is your new room. Do you like it?
0:52:14 > 0:52:17So this is your new bedroom. This is where you're going to
0:52:17 > 0:52:21- sleep at night. Is that all right? - Yeah.- Yeah?- Yeah.
0:52:21 > 0:52:22Do you want to go and have a look?
0:52:24 > 0:52:26MARK LAUGHS
0:52:26 > 0:52:27Give us a wave.
0:52:27 > 0:52:28SHE LAUGHS
0:52:28 > 0:52:32This is more than what we hoped for for them. I mean, Abigail was
0:52:32 > 0:52:36in that tiny little box room before. She's got space to play in here.
0:52:38 > 0:52:42It has and it will just transform how the girls grow up.
0:52:42 > 0:52:44Your turn.
0:52:44 > 0:52:48'We've always had the philosophy that home is the place to relax'
0:52:48 > 0:52:52and I think this has given them that place. They can come home and relax
0:52:52 > 0:52:54without having the struggle that they have
0:52:54 > 0:52:55when they're out and about.
0:52:55 > 0:52:58It's like a dolls' house.
0:52:58 > 0:53:00It has given them that independence,
0:53:00 > 0:53:03the ability to do things for themselves, to learn how to do
0:53:03 > 0:53:06things in a safe, warm, beautiful home
0:53:06 > 0:53:08that is going to look after them.
0:53:08 > 0:53:10- That's what's important to us, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:53:16 > 0:53:21- Wow!- Wow!- Goodness me! Is that really our garden?
0:53:21 > 0:53:24This is beautiful.
0:53:24 > 0:53:27Look, there's a little waterfall.
0:53:27 > 0:53:29There is, isn't there? That's nice.
0:53:29 > 0:53:32Do you want to go down and have a look? Follow Mummy.
0:53:32 > 0:53:36- Come and have a look in here. - I love it. I want to go play in it!
0:53:40 > 0:53:43Going to be able to get the girls with the green fingers going,
0:53:43 > 0:53:45get them planting the flowers and the plants
0:53:45 > 0:53:49and this is a perfect height for them. It's absolutely brilliant.
0:53:49 > 0:53:52- What a lovely, lovely garden. - It is. It's amazing.
0:53:54 > 0:53:57I can't believe how hard people must have been working over these last nine days.
0:53:57 > 0:53:59The hours they must have put in.
0:53:59 > 0:54:02To have a whole group of people that we don't know step in to
0:54:02 > 0:54:07change our house into this fantastic home, it's one of the most
0:54:07 > 0:54:09humbling experiences I've ever had.
0:54:09 > 0:54:13'We are just in awe of everybody that's helped us,
0:54:13 > 0:54:17'and just want to say the biggest thank you to everybody.'
0:54:19 > 0:54:22APPLAUSE
0:54:22 > 0:54:23Wow! Here we go.
0:54:38 > 0:54:41I think it's a good idea to get the little ones back inside.
0:54:41 > 0:54:43It's a little bit much for them at the moment,
0:54:43 > 0:54:45so where's Grandma and Grandad?
0:54:54 > 0:54:56Wow!
0:54:56 > 0:54:59That's all I've said all the way round the house is "Wow!"
0:54:59 > 0:55:01This is amazing. This is incredible.
0:55:01 > 0:55:03We've had so many people looking after us
0:55:03 > 0:55:05over the last couple of years...
0:55:08 > 0:55:11..and to see all of you guys here today...
0:55:11 > 0:55:13- Sorry...- Go on, Mark!
0:55:13 > 0:55:15APPLAUSE
0:55:22 > 0:55:25We can't tell you what it means to what you've done to our house.
0:55:25 > 0:55:31You've created the most fabulous home for our girls to grow up in.
0:55:31 > 0:55:33You are all superheroes.
0:55:33 > 0:55:37We've always worried about the girls and having their independence
0:55:37 > 0:55:40and being able to relax in their own home and it's given us
0:55:40 > 0:55:44that peace of mind to know that that's going to happen for them.
0:55:44 > 0:55:47So much thought has gone into everything to enable them
0:55:47 > 0:55:50to do that, so this is beyond our wildest dreams.
0:55:50 > 0:55:53What you've all done for us, it's just amazing.
0:55:53 > 0:55:55Incredible, yeah. You rock.
0:55:55 > 0:55:57APPLAUSE
0:56:04 > 0:56:07You know always in the back of my mind is what the oncologist
0:56:07 > 0:56:11has said is a 50-50 chance in the first year of the cancer coming back,
0:56:11 > 0:56:15and if it does and the worst happens...
0:56:15 > 0:56:19you guys have given them a home, you know, so thank you.
0:56:19 > 0:56:21APPLAUSE
0:56:32 > 0:56:34I need to remember every single face in here
0:56:34 > 0:56:36because if you ever need a cup of tea...
0:56:36 > 0:56:38LAUGHTER ..you just come knock on our door
0:56:38 > 0:56:41and we'll have the kettle on for you in no time at all.
0:56:41 > 0:56:44- Just not at the same time! - I don't have that many cups!
0:56:46 > 0:56:48Come up and say hello.
0:56:49 > 0:56:54Come here. Group hug, come on, get in, get in. That's brilliant.
0:56:54 > 0:56:55Well done.
0:56:57 > 0:57:01Fate is a strange and cruel thing. Why do some families have
0:57:01 > 0:57:04so many more trials and tribulations to face than others?
0:57:04 > 0:57:07And of course you can't do anything about fate.
0:57:07 > 0:57:10Sometimes the odds are just stacked against you.
0:57:10 > 0:57:14What you can do though is help the people get through.
0:57:14 > 0:57:17What these people have done is given the twins somewhere safe in which
0:57:17 > 0:57:20to face the difficulties they're going to have as they grow up,
0:57:20 > 0:57:25and maybe more importantly, given Mark peace of mind that his wife
0:57:25 > 0:57:28and kids are going to be safe no matter how his personal battle goes.
0:57:28 > 0:57:33So whilst you can't change fate, you can certainly even up the odds.
0:57:35 > 0:57:37Maybe you know somebody who needs your help.
0:57:42 > 0:57:43Thank you so much.
0:57:51 > 0:57:53LAUGHTER AND CHAT