The Big Build - Holmfirth

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0:00:02 > 0:00:05I think life experiences perhaps make you

0:00:05 > 0:00:07a stronger person, don't they?

0:00:07 > 0:00:14As a dad, Richard, he was absolutely amazing. Supportive, loving, loyal.

0:00:14 > 0:00:18We have to get that daddy back, we have to get that husband back.

0:00:18 > 0:00:20We're here to help ex-copper Richard,

0:00:20 > 0:00:23who's battling to rebuild his life...

0:00:23 > 0:00:25He's so incredibly strong-willed.

0:00:25 > 0:00:28He's got something in him that is going to make him succeed.

0:00:28 > 0:00:32..to bring a family divided by a devastating event back together.

0:00:32 > 0:00:36Richard is excluded from many things that me and the boys do.

0:00:43 > 0:00:46We're building a home so THEY can build their future.

0:00:46 > 0:00:49If we make this happen, the kids will have a chance

0:00:49 > 0:00:51to get their father back and give him the best opportunity

0:00:51 > 0:00:53to fight back and spend time with them.

0:00:53 > 0:00:54Is that a good enough reason?

0:00:54 > 0:00:55ALL: Yes!

0:00:56 > 0:00:59As usual, we have just nine days to do the build,

0:00:59 > 0:01:01and all the usual suspects are here.

0:01:01 > 0:01:04And this week, we have a man who is quite literally outstanding

0:01:04 > 0:01:07in his field. The wonderful Charlie Luxton. There he goes.

0:01:07 > 0:01:10But how are we going to pull it off?

0:01:10 > 0:01:12Luckily, we've found a huge army. Are you up for it?

0:01:12 > 0:01:13- ALL:- Yes!

0:01:13 > 0:01:15Please!

0:01:15 > 0:01:17- Very polite, aren't they?- They are.

0:01:17 > 0:01:18This is DIY SOS: The Big Build!

0:01:18 > 0:01:20CHEERING

0:01:23 > 0:01:24LAUGHTER

0:01:25 > 0:01:26Whooo!

0:01:33 > 0:01:36Holmfirth, in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales.

0:01:36 > 0:01:39It's gorgeous, isn't it? Home to the Ford family.

0:01:39 > 0:01:41It's where police officers Jude and Richard

0:01:41 > 0:01:43settled to bring up their three young boys -

0:01:43 > 0:01:47Harry, Oscar and little Archie - in this modern family home.

0:01:49 > 0:01:51The couple met in the force just over a decade ago

0:01:51 > 0:01:54when Jude arrived as a rookie officer.

0:01:54 > 0:01:58When I first met him at Huddersfield Police Station, Richard told me,

0:01:58 > 0:02:02"I just want to warn you, just watch out for those male officers.

0:02:02 > 0:02:06"Because you might get quite a bit of attention when you join."

0:02:06 > 0:02:08And then lo and behold,

0:02:08 > 0:02:10it ended up being Richard that I had to watch out for.

0:02:10 > 0:02:12Good work, Richard.

0:02:12 > 0:02:14They soon realised they'd found their soul mates.

0:02:14 > 0:02:18Marriage and kids followed, and family life seemed complete.

0:02:18 > 0:02:21They had a very active family life.

0:02:21 > 0:02:24Richard ran marathons and coached the boys' football team.

0:02:24 > 0:02:28Until one terrible day in 2012.

0:02:29 > 0:02:31I had put my running things on, ready to think,

0:02:31 > 0:02:34"I'll go for a run today, try and get a little bit of training in."

0:02:34 > 0:02:38And then Harry, who at the time was seven years old, said,

0:02:38 > 0:02:40"Mummy, Daddy's calling your name."

0:02:40 > 0:02:44And when I went upstairs, he was on the bathroom floor.

0:02:46 > 0:02:52No-one could have imagined that at 41, Richard was suffering a stroke.

0:02:52 > 0:02:56It was so severe that Jude was told to expect the worst.

0:02:59 > 0:03:02I think the question that I asked all the time was,

0:03:02 > 0:03:04"What do I tell the boys?

0:03:04 > 0:03:06"What do I tell the boys?"

0:03:09 > 0:03:12And I think I probably left hospital after about 24 hours

0:03:12 > 0:03:14and came home to them.

0:03:14 > 0:03:17And had to say to them, you know, "Daddy's poorly."

0:03:19 > 0:03:21And I can remember Harry saying, "Is he going to die?",

0:03:21 > 0:03:24and saying, "I just don't know.

0:03:24 > 0:03:27"But if he does, we'll be OK."

0:03:34 > 0:03:37Defying all the odds, Richard survived,

0:03:37 > 0:03:39but was left fighting for his life.

0:03:39 > 0:03:42He'd been left with locked-in syndrome,

0:03:42 > 0:03:46paralysed and with only minimal eye movement. Nine months in hospital

0:03:46 > 0:03:51passed as Richard started to recover and learnt to communicate again.

0:03:51 > 0:03:54He was just so incredibly strong-willed, and I think

0:03:54 > 0:03:58that is something that has helped him on his journey since his stroke.

0:03:58 > 0:04:00Helped him run all those marathons, but I think it helps him

0:04:00 > 0:04:04through those incredibly dark days, and still some dark days now.

0:04:05 > 0:04:07OK, one more and then we'll go back.

0:04:26 > 0:04:27Well done.

0:04:27 > 0:04:31Now, two years on, Richard's rehab is continuing at home.

0:04:31 > 0:04:34Watching their dad's battle for recovery has had

0:04:34 > 0:04:36a huge impact on the boys.

0:04:37 > 0:04:41They are all amazing, resilient children.

0:04:41 > 0:04:44I think they have adapted really well.

0:04:45 > 0:04:47But it has taken its toll.

0:04:47 > 0:04:50It's been really hard.

0:04:54 > 0:04:56Everyday family life has all but disappeared,

0:04:56 > 0:05:00and the home they once loved has now become a prison.

0:05:00 > 0:05:04Mealtimes are spent alone as he can't get into the kitchen,

0:05:04 > 0:05:08and he's unable to get in and out of the house without some help.

0:05:08 > 0:05:11On top of that, with no washing or toilet facilities,

0:05:11 > 0:05:15he relies on a stream of carers for his most basic needs.

0:05:15 > 0:05:16Right, Richard, steady does it.

0:05:27 > 0:05:29And who wouldn't want to be?

0:05:29 > 0:05:32Isolated from the rest of the family, this once proud, independent man

0:05:32 > 0:05:35has become an outsider in his own home.

0:05:52 > 0:05:56I think we have reached, haven't we, breaking point? For our family.

0:05:58 > 0:06:03And I think it'll be utterly and totally amazing,

0:06:03 > 0:06:07and I just think it will mean that, as a family,

0:06:07 > 0:06:09that we can get back on track,

0:06:09 > 0:06:13we can concentrate on those three lovely boys and get on with life.

0:06:13 > 0:06:17Because life is for living and you only get one shot, don't you?

0:06:17 > 0:06:18And I think Richard's stroke has given us

0:06:18 > 0:06:21that massive wake-up call that that is the case.

0:06:26 > 0:06:30My father had a stroke, and after the stroke he found

0:06:30 > 0:06:32his emotions...

0:06:33 > 0:06:36..going up and going down, going up and going down.

0:06:36 > 0:06:38Do you find this too? And is that tough?

0:06:41 > 0:06:44Very tough? Yeah, I can see that.

0:06:45 > 0:06:47To what extent are you able to operate as a couple?

0:06:47 > 0:06:50Not just somebody who is working through a disability.

0:06:50 > 0:06:52None?

0:06:52 > 0:06:55I think that's gone completely, hasn't it?

0:06:58 > 0:07:01Sort of put your children to bed and then the carers come in,

0:07:01 > 0:07:03and they're here for an hour.

0:07:03 > 0:07:08And then it's time for lights out, isn't it?

0:07:08 > 0:07:12So I think that is one thing that we need to work on, isn't it?

0:07:13 > 0:07:17This will probably upset Richard, but it's an honest feeling,

0:07:17 > 0:07:19that Richard is excluded from many things

0:07:19 > 0:07:23that me and the boys do. Either inside or outside the home.

0:07:23 > 0:07:25Just because of the practicalities of it.

0:07:25 > 0:07:27OK, and that's what you need us to do?

0:07:27 > 0:07:30- You need us to...- Bring us together. - Get the family back together.

0:07:30 > 0:07:33- Yeah, definitely. - Jude, I don't know if you noticed,

0:07:33 > 0:07:35but whilst I was chatting to you, I accidentally leant on

0:07:35 > 0:07:38the "forward" button and almost shot him across the room.

0:07:38 > 0:07:39RICHARD AND JUDE LAUGH

0:07:39 > 0:07:42But he wasn't so unwell enough that he couldn't reach forward

0:07:42 > 0:07:44and just switch it off!

0:07:44 > 0:07:45To make sure I didn't do it again.

0:07:49 > 0:07:52Sorry about that(!) Right, let's get the builders in, yeah?

0:07:53 > 0:07:56Braving snow and sub-zero temperatures

0:07:56 > 0:07:59is a terrific turnout of Yorkshire's best.

0:07:59 > 0:08:01APPLAUSE

0:08:01 > 0:08:03What's happened here is that the father has become

0:08:03 > 0:08:05separated from his kids.

0:08:05 > 0:08:08If we make this house the right way round, he won't have to

0:08:08 > 0:08:11sit on his own whilst the kids sit with their mum to have dinner.

0:08:11 > 0:08:13They can spend time together. We can actually help that happen.

0:08:13 > 0:08:16And the kids will have a chance to get their father back and give him

0:08:16 > 0:08:19the best opportunity to fight back and spend time with them.

0:08:19 > 0:08:21- Is that a good enough reason? ALL:- Yeah.- Good.

0:08:23 > 0:08:26'It's a different kind of build this week,

0:08:26 > 0:08:28'because the upstairs is already in good nick.'

0:08:28 > 0:08:29So we're leaving it alone

0:08:29 > 0:08:32and putting all our efforts into the ground floor.

0:08:32 > 0:08:36So, without further ado, let's do some egg-breaking.

0:08:39 > 0:08:42Outside, the groundwork boys have already given us a head start

0:08:42 > 0:08:45by getting the foundations in for an extension,

0:08:45 > 0:08:48but in their haste, they've left the digger behind.

0:08:48 > 0:08:50We've got to get a floor in here by lunchtime,

0:08:50 > 0:08:52then the timber frame guys are going to come along,

0:08:52 > 0:08:54and we're going to have a timber frame extension up here.

0:08:54 > 0:08:57Before that, we've got to batten between all the joists

0:08:57 > 0:08:59- and get it insulated. - Well, you can see why,

0:08:59 > 0:09:02when you look at the underground being that cold, there's ice on it.

0:09:02 > 0:09:03But when the building is up,

0:09:03 > 0:09:05you won't actually have any snow in here.

0:09:05 > 0:09:08'He's like an annoying little brother. I know, because I was one.

0:09:08 > 0:09:13'We're like one big, happy, dysfunctional family.'

0:09:13 > 0:09:14Since we started this 15 years ago,

0:09:14 > 0:09:1711 children born to our families in the time we've been doing this.

0:09:17 > 0:09:19And I worked it out the other day,

0:09:19 > 0:09:22we've worked with 12,000 builders around the country.

0:09:22 > 0:09:24Yeah, and how many babies would that be?

0:09:24 > 0:09:27Yeah, how many babies have THEY made in that amount of time?

0:09:27 > 0:09:30Probably, after doing a Big Build, they're too knackered!

0:09:33 > 0:09:35Yep, he's right, it's only day one.

0:09:35 > 0:09:36We've got a mountain to climb

0:09:36 > 0:09:40and our designer Charlie Luxton is already cracking the whip.

0:09:40 > 0:09:42Mark, what about the front porch foundation?

0:09:42 > 0:09:44Yes, we'll have to have a chat about that.

0:09:44 > 0:09:47- What're you doing with the porch? - I want to take it off and build one.

0:09:47 > 0:09:50- Why?- You've seen the plan, you knew this was coming.- I know, I know.

0:09:50 > 0:09:54The other thing I've just realised is the new rear access...

0:09:54 > 0:09:56- What's that?- The new rear access...

0:09:56 > 0:09:58Sorry, it's cold.

0:09:58 > 0:10:01- Freezing out there, isn't it? - Yeah, we'll lock that.

0:10:01 > 0:10:04Look, he's tripping over themselves to share his ideas.

0:10:04 > 0:10:05Call that man management, Mark?

0:10:05 > 0:10:09Still, someone's got to listen to him. And it turns out it's me.

0:10:09 > 0:10:11Charlie Luxton, environmental planet saver.

0:10:11 > 0:10:15- Nice to have you back. - It's very nice to be here.- Really?

0:10:15 > 0:10:17Yeah, but it's a funny one, this, because the house is in

0:10:17 > 0:10:19really good condition, but it just doesn't work for them.

0:10:19 > 0:10:21What's your master plan, open it all out?

0:10:21 > 0:10:24To create different areas, so we're extending out the back,

0:10:24 > 0:10:27we're putting a new, dedicated side access for the carers,

0:10:27 > 0:10:29we really put a lot of thought into the kitchen,

0:10:29 > 0:10:31so that he can start preparing his own food during the day.

0:10:31 > 0:10:33Because at the moment, during the day,

0:10:33 > 0:10:36- he's often just trapped in a room. - And his capabilities are increasing.

0:10:36 > 0:10:40He's made amazing progress, so who knows where he could go.

0:10:40 > 0:10:42Who knows indeed, it's all about

0:10:42 > 0:10:45creating a home where Richard can develop his independence

0:10:45 > 0:10:49and a space that brings the whole family together again.

0:10:49 > 0:10:52By building a timber frame extension on the back of the house,

0:10:52 > 0:10:56we're adding essential space for a bedroom for Richard

0:10:56 > 0:10:58and a new playroom for the boys just next door.

0:10:59 > 0:11:03The ground floor will be remodelled, and by moving walls, we can add

0:11:03 > 0:11:08a specially-equipped wet room and a huge open-plan kitchen/dining area

0:11:08 > 0:11:12where all the family can be together. The old kitchen will become

0:11:12 > 0:11:15a new grown-ups lounge, giving Jude and Richard somewhere

0:11:15 > 0:11:17they can enjoy quality time together.

0:11:17 > 0:11:20AND we're finally unlocking the outdoors by creating a garden

0:11:20 > 0:11:24where Richard can be with his children.

0:11:24 > 0:11:27I feel really strongly about this one, I think we can do something

0:11:27 > 0:11:29that makes his quality of life so much better,

0:11:29 > 0:11:32and their family work. And we'll make it warmer.

0:11:32 > 0:11:35Are we going to have to have the insulation talk?

0:11:35 > 0:11:36Yes, probably. No, we're not...

0:11:36 > 0:11:40'Thought as much. Moving on as quickly as possible.'

0:11:40 > 0:11:43If we're going to break down the barriers that are dividing Richard

0:11:43 > 0:11:47from the rest of the family, then perfectly good walls have got to go.

0:11:47 > 0:11:50All this has come out. So it's going to be a fair bit of mess.

0:11:50 > 0:11:53There's not going to be anything left, is there?

0:11:53 > 0:11:56It's enough to leave your ears ringing.

0:11:57 > 0:11:59HIGH-PITCHED RINGING

0:11:59 > 0:12:01Is that annoying noise in my head, Mark,

0:12:01 > 0:12:02or can anyone else hear something?

0:12:02 > 0:12:03What is that?

0:12:08 > 0:12:10- What's that, Charles?- It's gas!

0:12:10 > 0:12:12MARK LAUGHS THEN SCREAMS

0:12:14 > 0:12:15It's a carbon monoxide alarm.

0:12:17 > 0:12:18RINGING STOPS

0:12:18 > 0:12:20- Fixed it!- Is it OK to come back?

0:12:20 > 0:12:22I can't believe it's carbon monoxide.

0:12:22 > 0:12:25- I did secretly pop one out. - Did you?!

0:12:25 > 0:12:27I didn't realise it was going to set an alarm off.

0:12:27 > 0:12:30- Thought nobody was going to notice.- Well, that did!

0:12:32 > 0:12:35You really can't take him anywhere, can you?!

0:12:35 > 0:12:37Still, you could say we're cooking on gas.

0:12:37 > 0:12:41Isn't it amazing what 50 blokes can do in just a couple of hours?

0:12:41 > 0:12:44As you can see, it's a little bit busy in here at the moment.

0:12:44 > 0:12:48It's become a forest of acrow props holding up the upstairs of the house.

0:12:48 > 0:12:51Because we're starting to take these walls...

0:12:51 > 0:12:53Well, I say, "Starting to take", they've gone.

0:12:53 > 0:12:56Turn away for two minutes and a wall is gone,

0:12:56 > 0:12:58which is quite impressive.

0:12:58 > 0:13:01I knew we wouldn't get far into the build before Charlie

0:13:01 > 0:13:03got his eco bit in.

0:13:03 > 0:13:04And with Richard at home all day,

0:13:04 > 0:13:08going to town with the insulation will save on their energy bills,

0:13:08 > 0:13:10but can there be such a thing as too much insulation?

0:13:10 > 0:13:12I think so.

0:13:12 > 0:13:14This is more than most people do,

0:13:14 > 0:13:18can't we just be pleased that we've got some insulation in there at all?

0:13:18 > 0:13:21No. Look, I know this seems dull, but you're losing a surprising...

0:13:21 > 0:13:23No, this is the stuff I live for(!)

0:13:23 > 0:13:26You lose a surprising amount of heat through the floor,

0:13:26 > 0:13:27especially on a...

0:13:27 > 0:13:30What percentage can you lose through the floor, Charlie?

0:13:30 > 0:13:31About 20% on an average house.

0:13:31 > 0:13:33The timber frame people turn up at lunchtime,

0:13:33 > 0:13:34we're not holding them up,

0:13:34 > 0:13:36they've got a day to do it. We've done this for you,

0:13:36 > 0:13:39and then you've turned up here and you're trying to get more.

0:13:39 > 0:13:42We know you're like, trying to get a little bit more.

0:13:42 > 0:13:44Don't start that carry-on.

0:13:44 > 0:13:47- Sometimes, you have to let some of the planet go.- It's hard.

0:13:47 > 0:13:49Enough talking, come on, time for action.

0:13:49 > 0:13:52Obviously not watched the programme if he thinks that's enough talking.

0:13:52 > 0:13:54LAUGHTER

0:13:54 > 0:13:57Anyone would think we're full of hot air. Ah, wait a minute.

0:13:57 > 0:13:59Seriously though, he's got a point.

0:13:59 > 0:14:02The timber frame has just rolled up, and it's all hands to the pump

0:14:02 > 0:14:06to get this monster unloaded and put together.

0:14:06 > 0:14:07Time is of the essence,

0:14:07 > 0:14:10so it's important I spend time talking to someone I think, yeah.

0:14:10 > 0:14:14- So who's in charge?- Guilty. - Just you two, is it?- Yes.- I'm Nick.

0:14:14 > 0:14:16Nice to meet you. Lee.

0:14:16 > 0:14:20- Nice to meet you, Nick, I'm Alan. - Anybody else in your team?

0:14:20 > 0:14:22- Mike, contracts manager.- Penfold!

0:14:22 > 0:14:23LAUGHTER

0:14:25 > 0:14:26Keep 'em coming.

0:14:26 > 0:14:28Yeah, look at that, they're off.

0:14:32 > 0:14:34It is like a well-oiled machine.

0:14:34 > 0:14:37From 15 flatpack panels to one extension.

0:14:37 > 0:14:39- MARK:- Are you going to have it finished tonight,

0:14:39 > 0:14:42- roof on and everything?- Depends how much tea we get, doesn't it?

0:14:42 > 0:14:44True enough, I'll go and make some tea for you.

0:14:44 > 0:14:46LAUGHING: 'As if he makes tea!'

0:14:46 > 0:14:49- What are your impressions so far? - Goldfish.

0:14:50 > 0:14:52'Impressive, I think you'll agree.

0:14:52 > 0:14:55'He's available for weddings, funerals, bar mitzvahs, you know.

0:14:55 > 0:14:57'And we've made jaw-dropping progress today.'

0:15:01 > 0:15:03Amazing when you think that just seven hours ago, this was

0:15:03 > 0:15:06a perfectly reasonable kitchen in a perfectly reasonable house.

0:15:06 > 0:15:09Now the entire thing is held up on acrow props.

0:15:09 > 0:15:12Everything has been stripped out, and the walls, and the ceilings,

0:15:12 > 0:15:14and all the electric has gone in, and all the plumbing,

0:15:14 > 0:15:16and if you go through to the other part here,

0:15:16 > 0:15:18we've stripped this down too,

0:15:18 > 0:15:21we've prepped this wall ready to put a door through,

0:15:21 > 0:15:24this is turning into a bathroom, probably my favourite bit though,

0:15:24 > 0:15:27is if you go through, we HAVE an extension,

0:15:27 > 0:15:28and it's even got a roof on.

0:15:28 > 0:15:30Now THAT'S Yorkshire building.

0:15:34 > 0:15:36Morning! Morning, morning.

0:15:36 > 0:15:38It's still thermals underneath weather,

0:15:38 > 0:15:41and by the look of things up here, there's no sign of a big thaw.

0:15:41 > 0:15:44Although the thermals do make me a bit "thore".

0:15:44 > 0:15:46Everyone's come up - "It's cold, Billy",

0:15:46 > 0:15:49you're northerners, you know what I mean? You don't get cold.

0:15:49 > 0:15:50Us Southerners do.

0:15:52 > 0:15:55- Mark.- Yes?- Weren't we supposed to be doing stonework by now?

0:15:55 > 0:15:57We are supposed to be doing stonework,

0:15:57 > 0:15:59but we haven't got the stone. Bricklayers were supposed to

0:15:59 > 0:16:01start this morning, but the stone hasn't arrived.

0:16:01 > 0:16:04- Why hasn't it arrived? - If you have a look around,

0:16:04 > 0:16:05we've got a drop of snow.

0:16:05 > 0:16:07They're having problems getting the trucks through.

0:16:07 > 0:16:10If that gets delayed, then we can't get the scaffold down.

0:16:10 > 0:16:12Can't get the scaffold down, we can't start the garden.

0:16:12 > 0:16:14That's a worry, isn't it?

0:16:14 > 0:16:17'We can't let a bit of snow get in the way of progress.'

0:16:17 > 0:16:21The roof lights are a little bit delayed.

0:16:22 > 0:16:24How much will that hold you up?

0:16:24 > 0:16:28I know t'measurements, I'll just pretend they're in and work.

0:16:28 > 0:16:31- I'll work round invisible skylights. - Is that all right?- It's fine.

0:16:31 > 0:16:32- Oh, I love you.- You too.

0:16:32 > 0:16:36There's nothing seems to faze this lot, and at last, the steels have

0:16:36 > 0:16:39made it, so we've got something to hold the ceilings up.

0:16:39 > 0:16:41In fact, the top of the house, the whole of the top of the house.

0:16:41 > 0:16:43Yesterday, these people were living in here.

0:16:43 > 0:16:46Have a little spin round now, look.

0:16:46 > 0:16:48It is proper broken, isn't it?

0:16:48 > 0:16:51We've broke it and now we've got to fix it.

0:16:51 > 0:16:54And our priority is to get those two steels in place.

0:16:54 > 0:16:56We're going to need all the manpower we can muster,

0:16:56 > 0:16:58and someone doing the talking.

0:17:00 > 0:17:02Come on, come on, up, up, up.

0:17:02 > 0:17:04All right, everyone doing the talking.

0:17:04 > 0:17:07See, talk and teamwork is what makes the dream work.

0:17:07 > 0:17:09Whoa, lovely!

0:17:09 > 0:17:11Well done, boys.

0:17:11 > 0:17:14The trick to running it smooth is not having Knowlesy

0:17:14 > 0:17:16get involved in it whatsoever.

0:17:16 > 0:17:19- He overcomplicates making a cup of tea, doesn't he?- Yeah.

0:17:19 > 0:17:22That's two teas and three coffees... No, two coffees and three teas.

0:17:22 > 0:17:24I've got to get this right.

0:17:24 > 0:17:25You see, all we give these guys is

0:17:25 > 0:17:27tea, coffee and a bite to eat. We don't pay them.

0:17:28 > 0:17:31It's shocking, isn't it, how life can suddenly turn around on you?

0:17:31 > 0:17:35Yeah. His son and my son both are exactly the same age.

0:17:35 > 0:17:38They both play junior football locally.

0:17:38 > 0:17:40- So you've met him before he...? Really?- Yeah.

0:17:40 > 0:17:43- Makes you think, don't it? - Yeah, yeah.- What about yourself?

0:17:43 > 0:17:46To see him going from what he was - active, hard-working,

0:17:46 > 0:17:49being with his family, to being confined to a chair

0:17:49 > 0:17:52and not being able to communicate with them, I don't think unless

0:17:52 > 0:17:54you've lived that you'll ever be able to communicate

0:17:54 > 0:17:56and relate to it.

0:17:56 > 0:17:58- Have you got kids yourself? - I haven't, not at the moment.

0:17:58 > 0:18:01Hopefully this year, next year we will.

0:18:01 > 0:18:04- Still practising?- Still practising. - How's it going?- Doing all right!

0:18:07 > 0:18:09Laughs aside, I think everyone has been

0:18:09 > 0:18:11affected by Richard's story, and are pulling out

0:18:11 > 0:18:15all the stops to build a home where they can be a regular family again.

0:18:15 > 0:18:18That's all anybody wants - just to be a regular family, surely.

0:18:20 > 0:18:23When Richard lost his ability to be a hands-on dad,

0:18:23 > 0:18:26it started to affect his relationship with the boys.

0:18:26 > 0:18:29So they try their best to keep that bond alive with days out together,

0:18:29 > 0:18:32and one of their regular fixtures is watching local team

0:18:32 > 0:18:34Huddersfield Town.

0:18:37 > 0:18:39I meet them at the training ground,

0:18:39 > 0:18:42where some very well-paid childminders

0:18:42 > 0:18:44have agreed to look after the lads.

0:18:44 > 0:18:47Do you want to go over there? Come on, then. Do you want to go as well?

0:18:50 > 0:18:52It also gives me a chance to chat to Richard,

0:18:52 > 0:18:54with a bit of help from his tablet.

0:18:56 > 0:18:59LAUGHING: Yeah.

0:18:59 > 0:19:02Yeah, "They're meeting their heroes, but also have some time off school,

0:19:02 > 0:19:05"and I reckon it's about even on what they're enjoying the most."

0:19:05 > 0:19:07NICK LAUGHS

0:19:07 > 0:19:09PLAYERS CHEER

0:19:09 > 0:19:12It seems to me that one of the toughest things that you're having

0:19:12 > 0:19:14to deal with is how your relationship with the boys is affected.

0:19:18 > 0:19:19"My role as a husband

0:19:19 > 0:19:23"and father is changing to someone who relies on others.

0:19:23 > 0:19:24"I want to be independent

0:19:24 > 0:19:28"and contribute to our lifestyle as much as possible.

0:19:29 > 0:19:31"It would allow me to progress."

0:19:31 > 0:19:33If we open up the house,

0:19:33 > 0:19:36do you think it will help with your rehabilitation?

0:19:39 > 0:19:40Definitely?

0:19:40 > 0:19:43"The limitations of my kitchen mean that I can't help with any

0:19:43 > 0:19:46"fatherly duties such as washing clothes or making food and drinks.

0:19:46 > 0:19:49"I've also had to manage without washing or toilet facilities

0:19:49 > 0:19:52"and my bedroom is in my dining room.

0:19:53 > 0:19:56LAUGHING: "This is not good when we have people round for a meal."

0:19:57 > 0:20:01I can see... I can see how that could be a problem, absolutely.

0:20:07 > 0:20:10What about your wife? Tough on her?

0:20:16 > 0:20:22"Jude is a rock. Somehow holding our family unit together.

0:20:33 > 0:20:36"I would welcome the opportunity to challenge myself with any

0:20:36 > 0:20:41"adaptations that can be made on the home and spend some time baking

0:20:41 > 0:20:43"and being creative with the bop."

0:20:45 > 0:20:48- I'm guessing that's "boys."- Mmm.

0:20:48 > 0:20:50Well, to be honest, in all those questions,

0:20:50 > 0:20:52you've only made one spelling mistake.

0:20:56 > 0:20:59"Don't you realise it's cold out here?" Yes, I think...

0:20:59 > 0:21:01Yes, I think we'd better get you back in.

0:21:01 > 0:21:03'He's quite a man, Richard, isn't he?

0:21:03 > 0:21:06'But his sons seem to be enjoying themselves, too.'

0:21:06 > 0:21:07Back at the house,

0:21:07 > 0:21:11we're turning the tiny back yard into a place that everyone can enjoy.

0:21:11 > 0:21:15Making it wheelchair-accessible will mark a milestone for Richard.

0:21:15 > 0:21:18He'll be able to get into the garden with the boys for the first time

0:21:18 > 0:21:19since his stroke.

0:21:19 > 0:21:22Our problem is, that's our finished floor level,

0:21:22 > 0:21:25and we've got a massive drop across the site, and we need to get

0:21:25 > 0:21:27a disabled access ramp from here

0:21:27 > 0:21:29down to the new height of the garden.

0:21:29 > 0:21:32I was then thinking we could just dress the front of that with

0:21:32 > 0:21:33a little dry-stone stub wall,

0:21:33 > 0:21:37but I want to keep a little space for the kids to play in.

0:21:37 > 0:21:41I know it seems crazy, that is wide enough for the kids to play goals.

0:21:41 > 0:21:42- Can you do that?- Yes.- Yeah.

0:21:42 > 0:21:46And are you going to build in tweed? That's my next question.

0:21:46 > 0:21:48I want tweed if we're doing this proper.

0:21:48 > 0:21:50They're a stylish bunch round here, and what's more,

0:21:50 > 0:21:51they always deliver the goods.

0:21:55 > 0:21:58And this is it, this is what we've been waiting for.

0:21:58 > 0:22:01Ten pallets of stone to build the extension.

0:22:01 > 0:22:03Late in the day, we've lost today,

0:22:03 > 0:22:06so fingers crossed tomorrow the weather is going to be decent,

0:22:06 > 0:22:09because basically, you can't lay brickwork below three degrees.

0:22:09 > 0:22:10It'll set, but it'll just crack.

0:22:10 > 0:22:14I need to get that wall up and finished in three days.

0:22:14 > 0:22:17- Yeah, we'll get it done.- Fantastic. - If you keep feeding us.

0:22:17 > 0:22:18LAUGHTER

0:22:18 > 0:22:22I hope it's not a big wall. Hang on - is he taller than someone?

0:22:29 > 0:22:32Morning. It's actually a lovely sunshine-y day.

0:22:32 > 0:22:34Cold, as you can see if you look out into the fields behind.

0:22:34 > 0:22:37And I've arrived just in time for a bacon sandwich. Perfect.

0:22:37 > 0:22:39What have you got for breakfast?

0:22:39 > 0:22:41Bacon, sausage and a bit of black pudding. A bottle of Irn-Bru.

0:22:41 > 0:22:43Is that you on the healthy diet at the moment?

0:22:43 > 0:22:45Are you training for a marathon?

0:22:45 > 0:22:48Yeah, you know... Body of Baywatch, face of Crimewatch.

0:22:48 > 0:22:50Yes!

0:22:50 > 0:22:52'Other sweet fizzy drinks are available.

0:22:52 > 0:22:55'It's thankfully too cold for beachwear,

0:22:55 > 0:22:57'but you've got to look after them, especially the brickies,'

0:22:57 > 0:22:59who've drawn the short straw.

0:22:59 > 0:23:02The roofers are still on the scaffolding,

0:23:02 > 0:23:04and with the sub-zero temperatures,

0:23:04 > 0:23:07we've got the heaters on full blast.

0:23:07 > 0:23:09'Don't tell Charlie. So it's like a sauna down here. '

0:23:09 > 0:23:12- Are you comfortable in there? - We're sweating. Sweating buckets.

0:23:13 > 0:23:16'Despite all that, brickie Mark is back for more.

0:23:16 > 0:23:19'He helped us out on a Big Build a couple of years ago, you know.'

0:23:19 > 0:23:21Somebody told me that you broke your neck.

0:23:21 > 0:23:23I did, about six months after we'd filmed that.

0:23:23 > 0:23:25Really? You all right now?

0:23:25 > 0:23:27Yeah, I'm back at full health, but at the point

0:23:27 > 0:23:30when I did it, it was touch and go, I could have been paralysed myself.

0:23:30 > 0:23:34- Wow. - So it wer' a bit of an eye-opener.

0:23:34 > 0:23:36So you've got a better idea than most of what it's like.

0:23:36 > 0:23:39It can change in an instant, like that.

0:23:39 > 0:23:41That's, again, why I'm here today,

0:23:41 > 0:23:43because I'm aware that that can happen.

0:23:43 > 0:23:46Friends helped out, but people who we didn't really know just

0:23:46 > 0:23:48came out of the woodwork and rallied round and helped out.

0:23:48 > 0:23:50So you're here to hand it on a little bit?

0:23:50 > 0:23:54Yeah, just keep that karma going, as it were.

0:23:54 > 0:23:56Just try and do summat good once a year.

0:23:56 > 0:23:59That's what's great about these Big Builds,

0:23:59 > 0:24:01it's all about pulling together and sharing the love.

0:24:01 > 0:24:03And occasionally a massage.

0:24:04 > 0:24:08- When you send me texts... - Yeah?- ..you send me an X on the end.

0:24:08 > 0:24:11- Yeah.- "Yeah, I'll see you at the weekend, X."

0:24:11 > 0:24:14- "Love you loads", two kisses.- But you wouldn't kiss me in real life.

0:24:14 > 0:24:17Don't you think we should have a different letter that we could

0:24:17 > 0:24:19put on the end, a more butch...?

0:24:19 > 0:24:22- No, nothing wrong with a kiss. - Isn't there?

0:24:22 > 0:24:27- Nothing wrong at all.- Why? - He says, "Why?" You see? Why a kiss?

0:24:27 > 0:24:29He says Q, I'm a little bit worried about that.

0:24:29 > 0:24:32If we went round the site here, who would give you a kiss?

0:24:32 > 0:24:35Chris would, he would, Martin would.

0:24:35 > 0:24:38- You... What?- I'd give him a kiss. He's a nice lad.

0:24:38 > 0:24:42- See?- You've got some kind of animal magnetism going on.

0:24:42 > 0:24:44'It seeps out sometimes, to be honest.'

0:24:45 > 0:24:47'Yeah, OK, fair enough.

0:24:47 > 0:24:49'I was just enjoying a nice warm feeling, but it's probably just

0:24:49 > 0:24:52'from Charlie's insulation, which is

0:24:52 > 0:24:54'going in the huge space under the floor.'

0:24:54 > 0:24:57The gentleman here are going to be going down the stairs.

0:24:57 > 0:24:59They'll probably moan and whinge about it,

0:24:59 > 0:25:00but there's loads of room down there.

0:25:00 > 0:25:04Gentlemen going in? Dive, dive, dive!

0:25:04 > 0:25:08Good luck. Obviously you don't want anybody too big down there.

0:25:08 > 0:25:10- Good luck, mate. - See you on the other side.

0:25:10 > 0:25:14See you on the other side. I only want small people down there.

0:25:14 > 0:25:17- Good luck, see you on the other side.- I can't get my shoulders in!

0:25:18 > 0:25:20I'm going to go and have a cup of tea.

0:25:20 > 0:25:23I thought you were supposed to be overseeing things, Mark!

0:25:23 > 0:25:25Well, we nearly have a roof on the extension.

0:25:25 > 0:25:28The imaginary skylights are now a reality.

0:25:28 > 0:25:31Very beautiful roof, isn't it? Look at that lovely slate.

0:25:31 > 0:25:32The boys still working on putting

0:25:32 > 0:25:34the tiles in at the end, here. How we doing, gents?

0:25:34 > 0:25:37- All right?- You winning? - We're winning, yeah.

0:25:37 > 0:25:39We're going for it, be done in a day.

0:25:39 > 0:25:43- Is that right?- Yeah, we'll be finished in about 55 minutes.

0:25:43 > 0:25:44- Really?- Want to start the clock?

0:25:44 > 0:25:46NICK LAUGHS

0:25:46 > 0:25:49'Do you know, everybody we ask says they can do whatever

0:25:49 > 0:25:51'we want as soon as possible. It's brilliant.'

0:25:53 > 0:25:55As Richard continues to make progress,

0:25:55 > 0:25:59they're hoping to add a four-legged friend to the family.

0:25:59 > 0:26:02At Dogs for the Disabled, they train assistance dogs to help

0:26:02 > 0:26:06people like Richard perform basic everyday tasks.

0:26:06 > 0:26:08They'll pick things up they've dropped, help them

0:26:08 > 0:26:10turn lights on... Anything you struggle with...

0:26:10 > 0:26:12Could they do my internet banking?

0:26:12 > 0:26:14Cos I can't get my head round that at all.

0:26:14 > 0:26:18- They could, but we don't trust them with the passwords.- Is that right?

0:26:18 > 0:26:21'The benefits go far beyond helping out around the house.

0:26:21 > 0:26:24'A dog like Gerry would give Richard some company during the day

0:26:24 > 0:26:26'and help with his physical recovery.'

0:26:28 > 0:26:30Jetta's near the end of her 20 months training,

0:26:30 > 0:26:33but can she help Billy with something he struggles with?

0:26:33 > 0:26:34Getting up in the morning.

0:26:37 > 0:26:41- Thank you very much.- Good girl, good girl.- Good morning, Jetta.- In

0:26:41 > 0:26:42this final stage,

0:26:42 > 0:26:45it's all about matching her with somebody,

0:26:45 > 0:26:47and then putting all the specialist training in

0:26:47 > 0:26:51so that every dog we supply is unique to the person that has them.

0:26:51 > 0:26:52Thank you.

0:26:52 > 0:26:56Particularly with Richard, there are some great opportunities

0:26:56 > 0:26:58to work with using voice more, and making sounds.

0:26:58 > 0:27:01Physiotherapy, so using arms to throw balls,

0:27:01 > 0:27:04and getting out and about is a really good thing as well.

0:27:04 > 0:27:05Jetta, fetch.

0:27:05 > 0:27:07There's a rigorous selection

0:27:07 > 0:27:10and approval process for getting one of these dogs,

0:27:10 > 0:27:12and the family are waiting to see if they've made it on the list.

0:27:12 > 0:27:14I think it could give you extra confidence

0:27:14 > 0:27:16when you're going out on your own.

0:27:18 > 0:27:19Independence.

0:27:19 > 0:27:21And I think as a family,

0:27:21 > 0:27:25it's something you could do with the boys, take care of the dog.

0:27:25 > 0:27:29You know, go on some lovely walks together, couldn't we?

0:27:29 > 0:27:32I can see how that would make a massive difference

0:27:32 > 0:27:34in people's lives, amazing.

0:27:34 > 0:27:38Jetta, fetch. Oh, ho-ho-ho, well done.

0:27:38 > 0:27:40I lost them.

0:27:42 > 0:27:45Aren't you the best? Yeah.

0:27:45 > 0:27:48You deserve two treats now.

0:27:48 > 0:27:51He deserves a day off after taking Bill's underpants out of the washing.

0:27:53 > 0:27:55We're making great strides back on the build,

0:27:55 > 0:27:59and the open-plan layout is the start of the new kitchen/dining area.

0:27:59 > 0:28:02And at the back, we're unlocking the garden for Richard by adding

0:28:02 > 0:28:06an access ramp that's clad with local dry-stone walling.

0:28:06 > 0:28:09It's beautiful. We've got the stone. Here it comes.

0:28:09 > 0:28:12All eight tons of it.

0:28:15 > 0:28:18Charlie's going to be busy with his garden design.

0:28:18 > 0:28:22But not before we've shifted the elephant in the room -

0:28:22 > 0:28:23a 1.5 ton digger.

0:28:23 > 0:28:25This hasn't moved

0:28:25 > 0:28:27in the last...

0:28:27 > 0:28:29six days, seven days?

0:28:29 > 0:28:30We lost the key.

0:28:33 > 0:28:35- Who lost the key?- Pfft. Somebody.

0:28:35 > 0:28:37CHARLIE LAUGHS

0:28:37 > 0:28:39- Did YOU lose the key, Mark? - I didn't actually lose the key.

0:28:39 > 0:28:42What I did, at the start of the job, I sent everybody in,

0:28:42 > 0:28:45sent 50 blokes in to pull the house apart, do it as quickly as possible.

0:28:45 > 0:28:46And the key was on the windowsill.

0:28:46 > 0:28:48they took the windowsills, the kitchen

0:28:48 > 0:28:51- and everything out and dumped it.- So somebody threw the key in a skip?

0:28:51 > 0:28:54I think that's generally what happened, yeah.

0:28:54 > 0:28:55And we're getting a new key?

0:28:55 > 0:28:58Getting a new key sent up by a courier from London.

0:28:58 > 0:29:01And it can definitely get out? Because it looks quite wide.

0:29:03 > 0:29:07- It's 800... - Don't worry, Chazzers, it'll go!

0:29:08 > 0:29:10CHARLIE LAUGHS

0:29:10 > 0:29:11How wide is it?

0:29:15 > 0:29:16About 790.

0:29:18 > 0:29:21Concerned? You should be, Mark.

0:29:21 > 0:29:23Whilst there are egress issues at the back,

0:29:23 > 0:29:25the access issues at the front are all under control.

0:29:25 > 0:29:26We're widening the door

0:29:26 > 0:29:30so Richard can get in and out of the house on his own.

0:29:30 > 0:29:33That's the thing about doors - they work in both directions.

0:29:33 > 0:29:37- What you making?- A porch. For the front door, at the side.

0:29:37 > 0:29:41- And what are we doing over the top of it, do we know?- A pitched roof.

0:29:41 > 0:29:44- Slating, I think. - So it should be good.

0:29:46 > 0:29:48- Did Julian collect on that kiss you promised him?- No, not yet.

0:29:48 > 0:29:50We'll wait when it's a bit more private!

0:29:52 > 0:29:55LAUGHING: There's a buzz about the place,

0:29:55 > 0:29:57and that's nothing to do with Billy's wiring.

0:29:57 > 0:30:00We're putting in a hi-tech electrical system that means

0:30:00 > 0:30:02Richard's going to be able to control the heating,

0:30:02 > 0:30:04lighting and even the front door using his tablet.

0:30:06 > 0:30:08Richard can come up in his wheelchair,

0:30:08 > 0:30:12and with his remote control, press for the sockets to come on.

0:30:12 > 0:30:16It gives him more freedom, gives him his own independence.

0:30:16 > 0:30:19No-one wanted to mention he had a duck on his head.

0:30:20 > 0:30:24All this is to help Richard help himself in getting one step closer

0:30:24 > 0:30:26to being a hands-on dad once again.

0:30:26 > 0:30:30Billy has popped over to see Richard and middle son Oscar to see what

0:30:30 > 0:30:31he makes of it all.

0:30:31 > 0:30:36You know we've come to do the house for Dad and make it more

0:30:36 > 0:30:40comfortable and everything, what are you looking forward to in the house?

0:30:40 > 0:30:45I'm looking forward to... Because Dad said he'll get us an Xbox.

0:30:45 > 0:30:52- Oh, an Xbox?- And then we might get a dog, as well.

0:30:52 > 0:30:56But if we get the dog, we won't sell the cat.

0:30:56 > 0:31:00- And what about your dad? - His own private bathroom.

0:31:00 > 0:31:03Do you think that will be more comfortable for Dad?

0:31:03 > 0:31:06It will be better for him to have a wee.

0:31:06 > 0:31:08RICHARD LAUGHS

0:31:08 > 0:31:11Because he has wees in his bedroom at the moment.

0:31:11 > 0:31:13What would you like in the garden?

0:31:13 > 0:31:17I want, like, a ramp instead of steps.

0:31:17 > 0:31:19I'd like a little ramp

0:31:19 > 0:31:21so Dad can go down,

0:31:21 > 0:31:24and then maybe in the middle, some grass,

0:31:24 > 0:31:28so Dad can move easily around.

0:31:28 > 0:31:31Well, that's fairly straightforward, isn't it?

0:31:31 > 0:31:33They want to be together, essentially.

0:31:35 > 0:31:37And changes are afoot.

0:31:37 > 0:31:40The big thaw has started and essential supplies are at last

0:31:40 > 0:31:42getting through, care of the local WI.

0:31:44 > 0:31:47- We're not just about cakes any more. - No, absolutely.

0:31:47 > 0:31:49We can't do all the woodwork

0:31:49 > 0:31:51and stuff like that, we'll make the cakes.

0:31:51 > 0:31:54Because everybody in the area has been so fantastic about

0:31:54 > 0:31:56baking cakes, it's made our builders feel genuinely loved.

0:31:56 > 0:31:59And they've done their level best to eat as many as they can.

0:32:01 > 0:32:03I've eaten me licence fee in cake.

0:32:04 > 0:32:07- Mary Berry's got nothing on you ladies.- Oh, that's nice, innit?

0:32:07 > 0:32:09- He's not talking about the age, is he?- I hope not!

0:32:12 > 0:32:14It seems all that sugar's done the trick.

0:32:14 > 0:32:18Chris and his boys are on the last straight - Richard's bedroom.

0:32:18 > 0:32:20- Christopher?- Hello.

0:32:20 > 0:32:23How're you going to dry it out with the temperature and weather...?

0:32:23 > 0:32:26Hot air. That's where you come into your own.

0:32:26 > 0:32:29You can help us out there, Mr Knowles.

0:32:29 > 0:32:31You all right, enjoying yourself over there?

0:32:31 > 0:32:33You're like a massive dehumidifier, aren't you?

0:32:33 > 0:32:36'What're you trying to say?! You'd be lost without me!'

0:32:43 > 0:32:46Crikey, that digger's still there.

0:32:46 > 0:32:50We've passed the halfway mark, it all seems to be going to plan,

0:32:50 > 0:32:52which is always worrying, but there is a small issue

0:32:52 > 0:32:55of eight tons of stone to move.

0:32:55 > 0:32:56Time to break out the big guns.

0:32:58 > 0:33:01- That's what we brought Alison for. - You're having a laugh!

0:33:01 > 0:33:03That's my job. They're the skilled ones, I'm the labourer.

0:33:03 > 0:33:06- You're going to move all this?- Yes.

0:33:06 > 0:33:08Come on, we don't have time to talk.

0:33:08 > 0:33:10LAUGHTER

0:33:10 > 0:33:12You tell him, Alison! Time is of the essence,

0:33:12 > 0:33:17and isn't it about time we got that digger out of the back garden?

0:33:17 > 0:33:20How are you going to get it up? And you've got to go up that step.

0:33:20 > 0:33:23Mate, I haven't done ten years in the circus, not learned nothing.

0:33:23 > 0:33:26- Ten years in the circus? - Billy Smart's.

0:33:26 > 0:33:29- Have you?- Oh, yeah.- What was your speciality in the circus?

0:33:29 > 0:33:31- Tightrope walking. - Was it?

0:33:31 > 0:33:33Yeah. That's where I get the balance from

0:33:33 > 0:33:35to be able to drive that out through there.

0:33:35 > 0:33:38- It's all about balance. - Is it?- Oh, yeah.

0:33:38 > 0:33:41They're just fantastic liars, the bunch of them.

0:33:41 > 0:33:42LAUGHTER

0:33:42 > 0:33:45I'm full of admiration for them.

0:33:45 > 0:33:48I've got that much faith in him, I'll bet you £10.

0:33:48 > 0:33:50- Oh-ho.- That he can drive it down there.

0:33:50 > 0:33:54- Without scraping the wall or the digger?- Without damaging anything.

0:33:56 > 0:33:58MUSIC: Stuck in the Middle With You by Stealer's Wheel

0:33:58 > 0:34:01'Now, this is going to be interesting.'

0:34:01 > 0:34:03- MARK:- Go on, Mr P.

0:34:04 > 0:34:07Ooh-hoo-hoo!

0:34:07 > 0:34:09Catching the fence, mate.

0:34:10 > 0:34:13That is SO tight.

0:34:13 > 0:34:15CHARLIE LAUGHS

0:34:16 > 0:34:19- Hey, Charlie, have you got your tenner ready?- Not over yet.

0:34:19 > 0:34:24# Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am

0:34:24 > 0:34:26# Stuck in the middle with you... #

0:34:26 > 0:34:29Left a bit, left a bit, got to go up over here.

0:34:29 > 0:34:31That's it - yeah!

0:34:33 > 0:34:35'He said he would do it, and he did.'

0:34:37 > 0:34:38He should be back for the next show.

0:34:38 > 0:34:41Give him a honk if you see him on the slow lane on the M1.

0:34:41 > 0:34:44NICK CHUCKLES AND JULIAN HONKS DIGGER HORN

0:34:46 > 0:34:50These remarkable local trades are pulling together to support this

0:34:50 > 0:34:52local family, building a home,

0:34:52 > 0:34:55a beautiful home that will mark a new chapter in their lives.

0:34:55 > 0:34:58Up until now, Jude has fought to hold the family together on her own,

0:34:58 > 0:35:02with her oldest friend Jane supporting her from the sidelines.

0:35:02 > 0:35:06One of the difficulties is that she hasn't got family around to help out.

0:35:06 > 0:35:08- That's right.- Which is kind of what you've done.

0:35:08 > 0:35:10Yeah, but I know she'd do it for me.

0:35:10 > 0:35:13And that's what we are, we're true friends,

0:35:13 > 0:35:16and I think ultimately, um...

0:35:16 > 0:35:19You know, I'd do anything for her.

0:35:19 > 0:35:22Having gone through what they've gone through as a family,

0:35:22 > 0:35:24I do think that lots of other people just would not have been able

0:35:24 > 0:35:26to cope with something like that.

0:35:26 > 0:35:29And I'm not saying Judith does, but she has to.

0:35:29 > 0:35:31And she knows that, at the end of the day,

0:35:31 > 0:35:34she wants the best for Richard and her three boys.

0:35:34 > 0:35:36They are her priority.

0:35:36 > 0:35:42She is really, truly one of the kindest people I know, and...

0:35:42 > 0:35:46I think she's one of life's givers, and anything that anybody can

0:35:46 > 0:35:48do to help her, that's so important, really.

0:35:48 > 0:35:51- This means a lot to you, doesn't it? - It does, it does.

0:35:51 > 0:35:53Yeah.

0:35:57 > 0:35:59Just two days to go.

0:35:59 > 0:36:01The plaster is dry and an army of

0:36:01 > 0:36:05very smart-looking decorators are poised to push things along.

0:36:05 > 0:36:07It's all yours. Sand and paint and make that place

0:36:07 > 0:36:09look really beautiful.

0:36:09 > 0:36:11Right, let's hit it! Go!

0:36:11 > 0:36:13Local artists are bringing

0:36:13 > 0:36:15a Yorkshire Dales landscape mural inside,

0:36:15 > 0:36:19and the floor is wheelchair useably flat, from front path,

0:36:19 > 0:36:21throughout the house, to the back balcony.

0:36:21 > 0:36:23This is his private space, is it?

0:36:23 > 0:36:25So he's got access off the back here for carers,

0:36:25 > 0:36:27so they can come straight in.

0:36:27 > 0:36:30So the family has got its own space, he's got his own proper wet room.

0:36:30 > 0:36:33Which is nice, because it means he can be prepped in the morning

0:36:33 > 0:36:35to join the family, and the kids don't have to watch all that stuff

0:36:35 > 0:36:37going on whilst they're having their breakfast.

0:36:37 > 0:36:39Privacy, isn't it?

0:36:39 > 0:36:41Just giving that separation is going to have

0:36:41 > 0:36:44a real impact on the quality of their lives.

0:36:44 > 0:36:47'It's well thought through, isn't it? When you think about it.

0:36:47 > 0:36:50'And in the main family area, we're fitting a kitchen that's both

0:36:50 > 0:36:51'easy to access and look after.'

0:36:54 > 0:36:57I'm always being told off for not using a bread board when I come in.

0:36:57 > 0:37:00- You don't use a breadboard? - I get told off, cos I scratch the surface.- Get a breadboard.

0:37:00 > 0:37:05It's just one of those things you do. You cut bread on the work surface cos you don't use a breadboard

0:37:05 > 0:37:09- and you drink milk out the bottle, out the fridge.- You can't drink milk out the fridge from the bottle.

0:37:09 > 0:37:13My mum'd go mental if she saw you doing that. She really would.

0:37:13 > 0:37:16'And rumour has it you don't want to mess with Charlie's mum!'

0:37:16 > 0:37:17Outside, the landscaping's done.

0:37:17 > 0:37:22Who'd have thought that eight tonnes of old stone could look so good? It's magnificent.

0:37:22 > 0:37:24- Beautiful, isn't it? - Glad you like it.

0:37:24 > 0:37:27Oh, cos we had the old stone wall in the back here, so it would have

0:37:27 > 0:37:31been wrong somehow to have put brick or block or anything else in there.

0:37:31 > 0:37:33- Enjoyed it?- Yeah, loved doing it. Absolutely loved it.

0:37:33 > 0:37:38So I'm so pleased with the way it's turned out in such a short time.

0:37:38 > 0:37:39Fantastic effort.

0:37:39 > 0:37:42'These guys are taking a great deal of pride in their work.'

0:37:42 > 0:37:46No corners are being cut, because they know who they're working for.

0:37:46 > 0:37:50You know, when Richard's life took a sudden and unpredictable turn,

0:37:50 > 0:37:52Jude's role was forced to change.

0:37:52 > 0:37:53For the past two years,

0:37:53 > 0:37:56she's not only had to become the sole breadwinner, but juggled

0:37:56 > 0:37:59work and being a carer, and a mum,

0:37:59 > 0:38:02putting her under immense stain.

0:38:02 > 0:38:04Tell us about Richard before the stroke.

0:38:04 > 0:38:07Cos obviously we don't see him now, so what was he like before?

0:38:07 > 0:38:10Oh, as a dad, he was absolutely amazing.

0:38:10 > 0:38:13Amazing. Yeah.

0:38:13 > 0:38:15There wasn't one bit of fatherhood that he got wrong.

0:38:15 > 0:38:17He was perfect.

0:38:17 > 0:38:22- And a husband?- Yeah. Really good. Supportive, loving, loyal.

0:38:22 > 0:38:25- What do you miss most? - Oh, I miss so much.

0:38:25 > 0:38:26So much.

0:38:28 > 0:38:30Um...

0:38:30 > 0:38:34I suppose that intimacy that I think is lacking now.

0:38:34 > 0:38:37You know, I've become sort of more of a carer

0:38:37 > 0:38:39than I have a wife, sometimes.

0:38:39 > 0:38:43And I miss him doing things with the boys.

0:38:43 > 0:38:46Doing family things that normal families do.

0:38:46 > 0:38:49Even just kicking a football around and...

0:38:49 > 0:38:51You know, they both rely on me to do that now.

0:38:51 > 0:38:54And that seems sort of the wrong way round, really.

0:38:55 > 0:38:58- And he misses that too? - Oh, massively.

0:38:58 > 0:39:00Massively. I think it cripples him sometimes.

0:39:01 > 0:39:03Given that his stroke was a brain stem stroke

0:39:03 > 0:39:06and a very serious one at that, wasn't there a point where you

0:39:06 > 0:39:09didn't know whether he was in there or not when you asked him a question?

0:39:09 > 0:39:11Oh, I did all sorts when he was in intensive course

0:39:11 > 0:39:13and I can remember asking him questions, just saying,

0:39:13 > 0:39:15"Just squeeze my hand if there's anything,

0:39:15 > 0:39:18"if you can hear me, just squeeze my hand."

0:39:18 > 0:39:20And he'd flex his arms, he'd flex his hands,

0:39:20 > 0:39:25and the hospital staff would say, "No, it's just an involuntary movement",

0:39:25 > 0:39:28and I said, "But he can hear me. He can hear me. He is in there."

0:39:28 > 0:39:31If I'd not had that belief from that very first moment,

0:39:31 > 0:39:33then I might well have given up

0:39:33 > 0:39:35and then who knows where we'd be now.

0:39:35 > 0:39:37With all the things you have to face up for,

0:39:37 > 0:39:40what is the toughest part of life for you?

0:39:40 > 0:39:42I think I'm just on autopilot.

0:39:44 > 0:39:47No, I'm just on autopilot all the time.

0:39:47 > 0:39:49If I stopped to think how bad things are,

0:39:49 > 0:39:52I might never get myself back from that place.

0:39:53 > 0:39:56I mean, you know, if I crumble,

0:39:56 > 0:39:58everything else gives way as well, doesn't it?

0:40:00 > 0:40:04After all the struggles that you've had to take on yourself, how does it feel to know there are

0:40:04 > 0:40:0860, 70 builders turning up every day to fight this with you?

0:40:08 > 0:40:10It will be so good for our family.

0:40:10 > 0:40:13So good for our boys, for Richard - suddenly, it will kick-start him

0:40:13 > 0:40:17and I think it will give him that will to do more things for himself.

0:40:17 > 0:40:20So ultimately, that will help with his rehab.

0:40:20 > 0:40:22It will help him progress.

0:40:22 > 0:40:25I think if you've been a marathon runner and you've hit that wall

0:40:25 > 0:40:27and run beyond that wall,

0:40:27 > 0:40:30then maybe he's got something in him, hasn't he,

0:40:30 > 0:40:32that's going to make him succeed.

0:40:32 > 0:40:35And then, that's then got to benefit our family, hasn't it?

0:40:35 > 0:40:36Cos that's how it works.

0:40:38 > 0:40:41What an extraordinary strong and powerful woman she is.

0:40:42 > 0:40:46Back on site, we're heading towards our finishing line.

0:40:46 > 0:40:49Our final goal outside is to lay a wheelchair-friendly lawn,

0:40:49 > 0:40:51so Richard can play with his boys.

0:40:51 > 0:40:54And this one should be pitch perfect.

0:40:54 > 0:40:57Nick, do you just want to point out it's upside down?

0:40:57 > 0:40:58Point out it's upside down!

0:40:58 > 0:41:00THEY LAUGH

0:41:00 > 0:41:03You could have tarmacked here if that was the finish we were going to end up with!

0:41:03 > 0:41:06'He always likes to be one step ahead, doesn't he?'

0:41:06 > 0:41:09Ask him anything you like. Ask him anything.

0:41:09 > 0:41:12Seven. I answered before the question.

0:41:12 > 0:41:16And he was about to ask - how many dwarfs were there with Snow White?

0:41:16 > 0:41:20- He can do that every time. I'm thinking of a question now.- Purple.

0:41:20 > 0:41:23- What shirts do we wear on DIY SOS? That's incredible.- 72.

0:41:25 > 0:41:28Six nines. I was gonna do a mathematical one.

0:41:28 > 0:41:30- Every time.- I'm speechless.

0:41:30 > 0:41:34- Six twelves. Yeah, but his maths isn't that good.- Yeah, I'm not...

0:41:34 > 0:41:36My English is a lot better than maths.

0:41:38 > 0:41:40You know, we are on the home straight.

0:41:40 > 0:41:43We've almost got a kitchen - and a dining room for that matter -

0:41:43 > 0:41:47although they're putting wardrobes over a map, which is odd, see?

0:41:47 > 0:41:48All we need is a handmade table.

0:41:48 > 0:41:50It's beautiful, guys. Absolutely stunning.

0:41:50 > 0:41:53Would you like a man hug, or... Or just a thank you?

0:41:53 > 0:41:56- Which one?- A man hug would be good. - A man hug?- I'm not going for a man hug.- Thanks.

0:41:56 > 0:41:59It means a lot to us.

0:41:59 > 0:42:03'Yes, always a popular choice. All right, ease up! That's enough! That's enough!'

0:42:03 > 0:42:05And Charlie's piece de resistance

0:42:05 > 0:42:06is a huge custom-built kitchen island

0:42:06 > 0:42:09that's designed with Richard's wheelchair in mind.

0:42:09 > 0:42:12Aren't you worried that being so big, it's going to take up

0:42:12 > 0:42:14so much of the space that he won't be able to get in there

0:42:14 > 0:42:18- and be able to cook and stuff?- Well, a) that's so he can get under there.

0:42:18 > 0:42:21- Oh, I see. This is his work space, so he can come up with the wheelchair here.- Yeah.

0:42:21 > 0:42:23Even that's quite tight with the wheelchair,

0:42:23 > 0:42:27so you put on wheels, so that when he's left in the house alone,

0:42:27 > 0:42:30you know, the family can move out of the way, so he's got loads of

0:42:30 > 0:42:34space during the day and then it can go back for when they want to cook.

0:42:34 > 0:42:35Clever, innit?

0:42:35 > 0:42:37- It's a thing of beauty. - It is a thing of beauty.

0:42:37 > 0:42:39Come and look at the tops. Look at this!

0:42:39 > 0:42:43- Look at the grain! And what sort of wood is this?- It's European oak.

0:42:43 > 0:42:45- Not cheap, is it, European oak? - Very expensive.

0:42:45 > 0:42:48- And you've done this out of the goodness of your heart?- Yes, yes.

0:42:48 > 0:42:50Why would you do that, given how much work's gone into it

0:42:50 > 0:42:53and how much you've had to give up in terms of earnings

0:42:53 > 0:42:56and buying such expensive oak to do it?

0:42:56 > 0:42:59When I got sent the details, I thought, yeah, I'd love to do it.

0:42:59 > 0:43:03You know, a couple of weeks out of my life. It's nothing, really.

0:43:03 > 0:43:06Isn't that properly lovely? What have YOU done?

0:43:06 > 0:43:08THEY LAUGH

0:43:08 > 0:43:10'I'm joking, Charlie!

0:43:10 > 0:43:12'You know, each build, we work with amazing people,'

0:43:12 > 0:43:16make genuine friends, see genuine compassion.

0:43:16 > 0:43:19And honest-to-goodness hard work.

0:43:19 > 0:43:23These boys have done Yorkshire proud and now, they're done.

0:43:26 > 0:43:29We arrived in Holmfirth to help a family whose lives were turned

0:43:29 > 0:43:32upside down when dad Richard suffered a huge stroke.

0:43:34 > 0:43:38Against the odds, he survived and began making an amazing recovery.

0:43:40 > 0:43:42But their dream home was driving them apart.

0:43:42 > 0:43:46Richard was isolated from the rest of the family, confined to the lounge

0:43:46 > 0:43:51and sleeping in the old dining room with no washing or toilet facilities.

0:44:00 > 0:44:02And we wanted to make that happen.

0:44:02 > 0:44:05They were desperate to get their family life back,

0:44:05 > 0:44:08so when we put a shout out, over 70 trades came over hill

0:44:08 > 0:44:11and dale to help bring the family back together.

0:44:12 > 0:44:14So, what has been achieved?

0:44:15 > 0:44:17We've taken a sparse lounge

0:44:17 > 0:44:20and created a beautiful open-plan living space

0:44:20 > 0:44:26that's wheelchair friendly and geared up to help Richard become more independent.

0:44:26 > 0:44:29The new kitchen has a stunning handmade island,

0:44:29 > 0:44:32the right height for a wheelchair and it's fitted with sockets

0:44:32 > 0:44:36and lighting that Richard can control using his tablet.

0:44:36 > 0:44:39We added a dining table that everyone can reach and there's even

0:44:39 > 0:44:43a custom-built work station where the boys can do their homework.

0:44:46 > 0:44:48By adding an extension at the back,

0:44:48 > 0:44:50we've created space for two brand-new rooms.

0:44:52 > 0:44:55The boys lost a room to play in when Richard needed a bedroom

0:44:55 > 0:45:00downstairs, but now they have their own space to chill out and relax.

0:45:02 > 0:45:05In turn, Richard now has his own bedroom,

0:45:05 > 0:45:08leading into a specially equipped wet room that will give him

0:45:08 > 0:45:11the privacy he so desperately needs.

0:45:12 > 0:45:15Where there was a kitchen, there's now a gorgeous grown-up lounge,

0:45:15 > 0:45:19where Jude and Richard can spend time together.

0:45:19 > 0:45:22And finally, we've created a low-maintenance garden that

0:45:22 > 0:45:25Richard can at last get into with his sons,

0:45:25 > 0:45:30complete with an artificial lawn, where the boys can play football.

0:45:30 > 0:45:33All in all, this big build should give Richard the tools he needs

0:45:33 > 0:45:38to move forward and allow the Fords to be a family together once more.

0:45:44 > 0:45:47Well, obviously, we needed to change the house around to give you

0:45:47 > 0:45:50the maximum opportunity to use it as a normal family home where

0:45:50 > 0:45:52everybody can be together, so... Open your eyes!

0:45:53 > 0:45:54Oh, my goodness!

0:45:57 > 0:45:59Oh, my goodness. I can't believe it!

0:46:01 > 0:46:04It doesn't look like our house!

0:46:04 > 0:46:06This is absolutely amazing.

0:46:07 > 0:46:10My gosh!

0:46:10 > 0:46:12It's absolutely amazing.

0:46:15 > 0:46:17I can't believe it.

0:46:19 > 0:46:20Wow!

0:46:22 > 0:46:24There's lots to talk about in here.

0:46:24 > 0:46:26We'll start with the island in the middle,

0:46:26 > 0:46:29because we wanted to give you maximum work space, where you and

0:46:29 > 0:46:31the boys can make cakes and do stuff together, which is great.

0:46:31 > 0:46:36The other clever thing about this is that if Richard's here on his own, the whole thing...

0:46:36 > 0:46:38- Oh! It's just mind-blowing. - It just rolls out of the way.

0:46:38 > 0:46:41So then, Richard, you have the full space to use for physio,

0:46:41 > 0:46:43but also to get access in here.

0:46:43 > 0:46:46- It's just absolutely mind-blowing. - Pretty cool, huh?

0:46:46 > 0:46:48Oh, it's just...out of this world.

0:46:50 > 0:46:54The whole house has now been made user-friendly for you.

0:46:54 > 0:46:57Automated on your tablet now will be intercom to the front door

0:46:57 > 0:46:59so you can talk to anybody who comes to the front door.

0:46:59 > 0:47:01Controlling the lights, the TV,

0:47:01 > 0:47:04controlling the sockets on the walls in here.

0:47:04 > 0:47:06Kettle, coffee machine, toaster.

0:47:06 > 0:47:08Oh, wow. Wow!

0:47:08 > 0:47:11So you can make yourself a cup of coffee, make yourself a cup of tea,

0:47:11 > 0:47:12make yourself a piece of toast

0:47:12 > 0:47:15and controlling the central heating system

0:47:15 > 0:47:17but there's more than that as well, because the other thing you

0:47:17 > 0:47:20needed to do...to be able to have access.

0:47:20 > 0:47:22So, you can actually open the doors.

0:47:22 > 0:47:23Oh...

0:47:26 > 0:47:28That's going to make such a massive difference.

0:47:28 > 0:47:30But it means basically that you can get in

0:47:30 > 0:47:33- and out of the house on your own whilst you're at work.- Yeah.

0:47:33 > 0:47:36And for me to feel as though you're not sat in all day

0:47:36 > 0:47:38when I'm out at work.

0:47:38 > 0:47:40Just feels they've gone above and beyond anything

0:47:40 > 0:47:42I could have imagined.

0:47:45 > 0:47:47So, move through into your dining area.

0:47:47 > 0:47:49Dining table that you can all sit around

0:47:49 > 0:47:51so that you can actually be at the table with your family

0:47:51 > 0:47:53and just have meals in the way that you should do.

0:47:53 > 0:47:57It's...it's just so, so perfect.

0:47:57 > 0:47:59In fact, if there was a word that described something that was

0:47:59 > 0:48:01more than perfect, it'd be that.

0:48:02 > 0:48:04Storage.

0:48:04 > 0:48:05Obviously storage is important

0:48:05 > 0:48:08but we also thought it might be more fun to actually make it

0:48:08 > 0:48:10blackboard so the kids can draw on it

0:48:10 > 0:48:14and you could have a list of jobs that you want Richard to do during the day.

0:48:14 > 0:48:15Yeah, absolutely, yeah.

0:48:16 > 0:48:18He can cover them up.

0:48:18 > 0:48:19LAUGHTER

0:48:19 > 0:48:22I can see how that's going to work(!)

0:48:22 > 0:48:23Do you want to move on?

0:48:25 > 0:48:27Come through.

0:48:28 > 0:48:30What we've done at the end here is made this area into a playroom

0:48:30 > 0:48:33so the kids have actually got a space all of their own.

0:48:33 > 0:48:36It's lovely. It's lovely.

0:48:36 > 0:48:39It's also a space you can join in and you can sit in amongst them here

0:48:39 > 0:48:42whilst they're playing and there's a little telly for them just here.

0:48:42 > 0:48:43They'll love it.

0:48:43 > 0:48:46They'll absolutely love this little chill out area just for them,

0:48:46 > 0:48:50won't they? They'll just, they'll just be so made up.

0:48:50 > 0:48:52- Ready to see the rest? - Yeah, definitely.

0:49:00 > 0:49:01LAUGH OF DISBELIEF

0:49:06 > 0:49:08This is so beautiful. It's so perfect.

0:49:10 > 0:49:14It all seemed really bare and cold and this is just so lovely.

0:49:20 > 0:49:25The other thing that you needed was a room for you and bathroom facilities.

0:49:44 > 0:49:46THEY SOB

0:49:54 > 0:49:57It's just a big deal, isn't it?

0:49:57 > 0:50:00I suppose for Richard it's...erm... and for me,

0:50:00 > 0:50:01I suppose, it's a

0:50:01 > 0:50:05big enough bed for us both to get into, for a start, and it

0:50:05 > 0:50:09feels like, you know, it feels like our room really and it's Richard's

0:50:09 > 0:50:12room, but it feels like somewhere that I could spend time with him.

0:50:12 > 0:50:17And I think what we had before was a hospital bed and that was just

0:50:17 > 0:50:19so clinical, but this is just more.

0:50:19 > 0:50:23It's, it's...it's absolutely stunning, but it's normal, isn't it?

0:50:23 > 0:50:25It's not a standard double bed,

0:50:25 > 0:50:29it's medical this side, not medical that side, so basically, it's,

0:50:29 > 0:50:31you know, it's the best of both worlds.

0:50:40 > 0:50:45It's better than you ever imagined? Well, I'm very pleased - that's what all the builders want to hear.

0:50:45 > 0:50:47If you open that door...

0:50:47 > 0:50:49That's it, stay where you are.

0:50:49 > 0:50:51Oh!

0:50:51 > 0:50:54So, access for the carers is important.

0:50:54 > 0:50:55Yeah, massively.

0:50:55 > 0:50:58With this, with the carers coming in through the side door,

0:50:58 > 0:51:01prepping you in here, so that you can go out and join the family

0:51:01 > 0:51:03and when you need to do something, you can come in on your own

0:51:03 > 0:51:06and the carers can come in from the outside. Is that what you needed?

0:51:09 > 0:51:10Definitely.

0:51:10 > 0:51:14The one other thing you needed was...bathroom facilities.

0:51:17 > 0:51:19RICHARD LAUGHS

0:51:19 > 0:51:22You can roll under the shower here, wet room shower and, you know,

0:51:22 > 0:51:25the stronger you get, the more independent...the more you'll

0:51:25 > 0:51:27be able to use this and when you need to,

0:51:27 > 0:51:29you can get yourself in here.

0:51:29 > 0:51:32It's kind of cool, isn't it?

0:51:32 > 0:51:34Like a dream home.

0:51:35 > 0:51:37Isn't it?

0:51:38 > 0:51:41I don't know where to look.

0:51:41 > 0:51:43What I love about this house now is that you can be together with

0:51:43 > 0:51:46- the boys and do normal things all the time.- We can.

0:51:46 > 0:51:48You can be part of the family and not separated any more.

0:51:48 > 0:51:50This is like the first day...

0:51:50 > 0:51:54now, of the rest of our lives, isn't it? Together. Yeah?

0:51:55 > 0:52:00And I just think as a couple, like, we didn't matter any more

0:52:00 > 0:52:03because we just had to get on with things.

0:52:03 > 0:52:05Weren't we?

0:52:05 > 0:52:07Just trying to hold the family together.

0:52:09 > 0:52:12- Have we given you the tools to do that now?- Well, yeah. Yeah.

0:52:12 > 0:52:14RICHARD SOBS

0:52:16 > 0:52:17Pull yourself together, son!

0:52:17 > 0:52:19What's everyone in the police force going to say?

0:52:19 > 0:52:23- What will all those people he's convicted at court be saying...? - SHE MOUTHS

0:52:23 > 0:52:24Is he sticking two fingers up?

0:52:24 > 0:52:26HE LAUGHS

0:52:26 > 0:52:27Is that for me?

0:52:27 > 0:52:29Two fingers to me?

0:52:29 > 0:52:31LAUGHTER

0:52:33 > 0:52:34That's hilarious.

0:52:34 > 0:52:39I think you're the first person I've ever revealed a house to who's given me the two fingers!

0:52:39 > 0:52:40That's funny.

0:52:43 > 0:52:46- What do you think the kids will make of it?- I don't know.

0:52:46 > 0:52:48- Shall we go get them in? - Yeah, definitely.

0:52:53 > 0:52:56Do you want a playroom? If you go the other end...

0:52:56 > 0:52:59Can we look in the back garden?

0:52:59 > 0:53:01Go on, you want to go and see the garden?

0:53:11 > 0:53:15You wanted to make sure that we could get Richard outside,

0:53:15 > 0:53:17down into the garden. Just go down the slope to the end,

0:53:17 > 0:53:21- you get a much better view from down there.- Oh, it's beautiful.

0:53:21 > 0:53:27Isn't it a nice space? Someone's so skilled to have created that.

0:53:27 > 0:53:30- What you reckon then, lads? Do you like the house?- Yeah.

0:53:30 > 0:53:32Oh, it's gorgeous. Beautiful.

0:53:32 > 0:53:35We're just totally blown away by what everyone's done for us.

0:53:35 > 0:53:40- It's unbelievable.- The people we've worked with have been amazing.

0:53:40 > 0:53:43- Ready to come and meet some of them? - Yeah, definitely.

0:53:50 > 0:53:56APPLAUSE

0:54:00 > 0:54:03So, all these are all the people that worked on your house.

0:54:03 > 0:54:08- It's a lot, isn't it? Do you like it? - Yeah.- Marks out of 10?- 10.- 10.- 10?

0:54:08 > 0:54:11Want to get back inside and play, carry on playing? Yes?

0:54:11 > 0:54:15- And then we'll come and join you in a minute. On you go.- Come on, then.

0:54:15 > 0:54:16So, obviously, quite a big change.

0:54:16 > 0:54:18Perhaps you can tell them why it was so important

0:54:18 > 0:54:21and what sort of change they've made.

0:54:21 > 0:54:24I think as a family, sort of, we were fractured,

0:54:24 > 0:54:28we were broken and life was getting really on top of us.

0:54:31 > 0:54:33SHE SOBS

0:54:35 > 0:54:37I think Richard's relationship with me

0:54:37 > 0:54:40and with the boys was, you know,

0:54:40 > 0:54:42in a bad... In a bad way.

0:54:42 > 0:54:45I think we felt as though it was beyond repair, really,

0:54:45 > 0:54:48and I felt sometimes as though we existed as...

0:54:48 > 0:54:51me and the boys as one unit and Richard as a separate unit because

0:54:51 > 0:54:56the house just simply didn't work for us and, you know, last night,

0:54:56 > 0:55:00friends and Richard and I said it was like Christmas Eve when we were kids.

0:55:00 > 0:55:03Just seeing what you guys have achieved in nine days is

0:55:03 > 0:55:05absolutely astounding.

0:55:06 > 0:55:09From the deepest bottom of our hearts,

0:55:09 > 0:55:11a million thank yous to all of you.

0:55:11 > 0:55:15You will never, you will never know what a difference you've now made to our lives.

0:55:15 > 0:55:18You've rebuilt our family by what you've done in there.

0:55:18 > 0:55:19Thank you.

0:55:19 > 0:55:22APPLAUSE

0:55:30 > 0:55:32Plainly, Richard has difficulty with speaking

0:55:32 > 0:55:35and Jude didn't even know this, but he's actually written something.

0:55:37 > 0:55:39Which... I'm going to try and read.

0:55:42 > 0:55:46"I can never really express how grateful to you all I truly am.

0:55:46 > 0:55:51"And I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for giving up your precious time

0:55:51 > 0:55:54"and make our house a home again for me and my family.

0:55:55 > 0:55:59"It's only now that I can see some light at the end of the tunnel."

0:56:01 > 0:56:03Come on, mate!

0:56:03 > 0:56:05APPLAUSE

0:56:09 > 0:56:12"It's only now that I can see some light at the end of the tunnel.

0:56:12 > 0:56:15"These changes you have made will make a life-changing difference

0:56:15 > 0:56:18"to us by making me more independent

0:56:18 > 0:56:22"and helping make my life as normal as possible in my own home.

0:56:24 > 0:56:27"There is no doubt that this will make a tremendous difference to our lives.

0:56:27 > 0:56:31"With your help, I would just like to thank Judith for all her help.

0:56:33 > 0:56:38"And always believing during the last long 30 months."

0:56:38 > 0:56:40I believe that their family can be a whole family again

0:56:40 > 0:56:42and you've gone a long way to doing that for them.

0:56:42 > 0:56:46There's this last bit as well that, I promise Jude that

0:56:46 > 0:56:50I will put right any damage that I cause with my wheelchair.

0:56:50 > 0:56:52LAUGHTER

0:56:52 > 0:56:54APPLAUSE

0:57:01 > 0:57:04Ready to go and meet them?

0:57:05 > 0:57:07All right, sausage.

0:57:07 > 0:57:09Love you lots, love you lots.

0:57:11 > 0:57:13- I'm Peter.- We've been doing the plumbing for you,

0:57:13 > 0:57:15hopefully you'll have some nice hot water all the time now.

0:57:15 > 0:57:19You're an inspiration to me. Stick at it, you'll get there.

0:57:21 > 0:57:24We started out by telling you how Richard was a marathon runner

0:57:24 > 0:57:27and we've discovered during the week that he's stubborn.

0:57:27 > 0:57:30Now, stubbornness can be a good thing, cos it can make you determined

0:57:30 > 0:57:32to finish a marathon. It can give you the belief.

0:57:32 > 0:57:34Belief was the word that Jude used.

0:57:34 > 0:57:37Come on, Richard, you can believe, you can get better. And he did.

0:57:37 > 0:57:39But, unfortunately, because the house was bearing down on him,

0:57:39 > 0:57:42he became separated from his children and that belief started to wane.

0:57:42 > 0:57:46Like a marathon runner getting to the end of a marathon, maybe half a mile short

0:57:46 > 0:57:49then a whole bunch of strangers pick him up and carry him over the line.

0:57:49 > 0:57:51These strangers, that's what they've done.

0:57:51 > 0:57:55Carried the family over the line, reignited that belief.

0:57:55 > 0:57:57Who knows what they can achieve now?

0:57:57 > 0:58:00Maybe you know somebody who needs your help.

0:58:00 > 0:58:02- Hiya.- Are you all right, love?

0:58:03 > 0:58:05LAUGHTER

0:58:05 > 0:58:07I did all your porching work there.