0:00:02 > 0:00:05Last time we were in Manchester, we took on the challenge of a lifetime,
0:00:05 > 0:00:06all to help veterans,
0:00:06 > 0:00:08like triple amputee Lamin Menneh...
0:00:10 > 0:00:14I was devastated, because I thought, "I'm gone."
0:00:14 > 0:00:18..and John Borge, who daily deals with post-traumatic stress syndrome.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21Nothing prepares you for seeing children just...
0:00:23 > 0:00:25..being hit by an IED and stuff like that.
0:00:25 > 0:00:27It's just... Nothing prepares you for it.
0:00:27 > 0:00:31What ex-servicemen like these needed was a community to feel secure
0:00:31 > 0:00:36and supported. So, we started to build one that could last, here.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39This street in Manchester will soon become the biggest build DIY SOS
0:00:39 > 0:00:43has ever taken on, because we're here to turn empty houses
0:00:43 > 0:00:44into homes for veterans.
0:00:46 > 0:00:47It was a truly epic build,
0:00:47 > 0:00:50so important that it even received a royal seal of approval.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53We've got the same name.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55Tell them what our name is.
0:00:55 > 0:00:57- Prince of Darkness.- There you go.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00But it tested us like never before.
0:01:00 > 0:01:01OMG!
0:01:02 > 0:01:05In fact, it almost beat us.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07This is the first time, ever,
0:01:07 > 0:01:10that we've gone over the allocated time for us, in the 16 years we've
0:01:10 > 0:01:11been doing this.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15But through sheer persistence, the plan succeeded in transforming
0:01:15 > 0:01:18this old, unloved street into the first stage of a
0:01:18 > 0:01:22vibrant veterans' village, bringing the street back to life,
0:01:22 > 0:01:27creating new homes for John and his son, Noah,
0:01:27 > 0:01:28and Lamin and his family.
0:01:30 > 0:01:33- Wow!- Oh, my goodness.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36Since our last visit, veterans' charity Haig Housing
0:01:36 > 0:01:41has renovated another 15 empty properties, leaving just one home.
0:01:42 > 0:01:47So, we're back to finish the job and build the very last home
0:01:47 > 0:01:50for disabled veteran Simon and his children.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53I don't want my kids living like this. It's just...
0:01:53 > 0:01:54It's heartbreaking.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58It's going to have some special challenges.
0:01:58 > 0:02:00You don't run cable to it, you run cable from it.
0:02:00 > 0:02:02'Course, it's a dynamo, ain't it?
0:02:02 > 0:02:04Oh, I know, I know now.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07But we are all pumped up for this and it feels like we're back
0:02:07 > 0:02:10amongst friends, because we're back in the Veterans' Street.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13This is DIY SOS: The Big Build!
0:02:27 > 0:02:30Simon Flores is a veteran and a single dad
0:02:30 > 0:02:34to three lively children, Kobi, Lilly-Anne and Damaso.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39Having separated from the kids' mother,
0:02:39 > 0:02:41Simon has them four nights a week.
0:02:41 > 0:02:44What we'll do now, we'll go home and have our tea,
0:02:44 > 0:02:47but first things first, let's put these on the right feet.
0:02:48 > 0:02:49- Mine's on the right feet.- Yeah.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52I'm on my feet, running around after them, you know.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55Do you want it spiked? No.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58Up and down the stairs, make sure they're fully dressed,
0:02:58 > 0:03:00make sure they're fully fed.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02They keep me busy all the time, which I love.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05- Love you. - CHILDREN:- Love you!
0:03:05 > 0:03:07SIMON GIGGLES
0:03:07 > 0:03:10Apart from his kids, one of his biggest passions is cooking.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13Come and have a taste for Daddy.
0:03:13 > 0:03:18And this doting dad won't compromise on the food he feeds his family.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20I just love cooking. It's a big part of my life.
0:03:20 > 0:03:23I like to make sure the kids are eating proper home-cooked meals,
0:03:23 > 0:03:27you know instead of frozen meals or frozen nuggets.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30- Are you enjoying that? - Yep.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32It actually de-stresses me.
0:03:32 > 0:03:38It's like I can forget all the troubles or any everyday problems
0:03:38 > 0:03:42and I'm in my element in the kitchen.
0:03:42 > 0:03:43I love it.
0:03:43 > 0:03:45If being a single parent wasn't hard enough,
0:03:45 > 0:03:48Simon has other challenges to contend with.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50Who wants to take daddy's leg off?
0:03:50 > 0:03:52- Me!- Me!- We'll have a look at it, see if it's sore.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55OK, go on, then. They argue about who's taking my leg off.
0:03:55 > 0:03:57They help out a lot.
0:03:57 > 0:03:58- Oh!- What?
0:03:58 > 0:04:01Oh, look at that red.
0:04:01 > 0:04:03- That's sore, ain't it? - Aw! Yeah.- Ow.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07They understand that I get sore every now and then, it gets painful.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09Aw, are you giving kisses?
0:04:09 > 0:04:10SHE GIGGLES
0:04:10 > 0:04:14Simon was injured on active duty in Iraq.
0:04:14 > 0:04:18Having always dreamt of serving his country, he signed up, age 21,
0:04:18 > 0:04:21but his dreams turned sour during his second tour
0:04:21 > 0:04:24of the country in 2006.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26The patrol was going fine, you know.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29And as we were coming back, we were about 2K away from camp...
0:04:31 > 0:04:33..and the next minute, explosion had happened.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35LOUD EXPLOSION
0:04:35 > 0:04:37You know, I thought this was it.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41"They've got me. The swines have got me."
0:04:44 > 0:04:49I felt a pain in my foot, which I thought was shrapnel or something.
0:04:49 > 0:04:50You know?
0:04:50 > 0:04:53As I went down to pull it out,
0:04:53 > 0:04:55because I was going to pull that shrapnel right out
0:04:55 > 0:04:57of my foot because it was...
0:04:57 > 0:05:00the pain was excruciating.
0:05:00 > 0:05:01As I went down...
0:05:02 > 0:05:04..I was like...
0:05:05 > 0:05:07"..hang on, where's my, where's my...?"
0:05:07 > 0:05:09"I've got no foot."
0:05:09 > 0:05:11I had my foot in my hand.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13They literally blew my foot off.
0:05:15 > 0:05:18Despite his devastating injury, Simon refused to let it
0:05:18 > 0:05:19break his spirit.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24After my second day in the field hospital, I was over it.
0:05:25 > 0:05:27"It's happened.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29"Deal with it now.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31"It's not going to grow back.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35"So, let's stop dwelling on the past, and move forward."
0:05:39 > 0:05:44I love in the mirror and I see a man who's evolved from losing
0:05:44 > 0:05:46half his leg,
0:05:46 > 0:05:50to a man who's got three beautiful kids.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53So, they do keep me sane,
0:05:53 > 0:05:55even though they stress me out sometimes.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57But they keep me firmly on the ground.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03Home for Simon is this two-bed council house.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06But the house really isn't helping this amputee,
0:06:06 > 0:06:08as he's in almost constant pain with his leg injury.
0:06:10 > 0:06:15When I'm cooking dinner or anything like that, you know, I get fatigued.
0:06:15 > 0:06:16Say, like, ten minutes,
0:06:16 > 0:06:19because I'm constantly on my foot and I'm putting pressure
0:06:19 > 0:06:21and it just gets so tired.
0:06:21 > 0:06:25The upstairs bathroom isn't designed to make everyday tasks,
0:06:25 > 0:06:28like washing, easy, and with no downstairs bathroom,
0:06:28 > 0:06:30it's a struggle to go to the toilet.
0:06:30 > 0:06:35I would love to have a downstairs loo, you know.
0:06:35 > 0:06:36It's going up them stairs.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39I mean, they are quite steep, I think, and I do find it difficult,
0:06:39 > 0:06:41you know, to walk up and down the stairs.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45Pick them up, please and put them away now.
0:06:45 > 0:06:46It's my pony!
0:06:46 > 0:06:49With only two bedrooms, Simon has to share his bed
0:06:49 > 0:06:51with two-year-old Damaso.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54He just isn't getting enough rest, and the house work is getting
0:06:54 > 0:06:56on top of him.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59I don't want my kids living like this. It's just...
0:06:59 > 0:07:00It's heart breaking.
0:07:02 > 0:07:04But when the children are at their mum's,
0:07:04 > 0:07:07Simon is left alone and isolated.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09I have a handful of friends here.
0:07:09 > 0:07:15But I can't speak to them like I can with veterans and ex-servicemen.
0:07:16 > 0:07:19It would be so good just to get back into that community again.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26His sister, Amanda, knows just how much it affects his morale.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28I know he comes off as he's got so much confidence,
0:07:28 > 0:07:30he's a bit of a likely lad.
0:07:33 > 0:07:38But actually, he's just such a sensitive soul, and life,
0:07:38 > 0:07:41when it's hit him, it's hit him hard, but he hides it so well.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46This decorated war hero feels forgotten.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48That one's from when daddy got hurt.
0:07:48 > 0:07:49That belongs on there.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52And he's struggling with Civvy Street.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55- Do you want these? - Why, do you want them?
0:07:55 > 0:07:57- Yeah.- Maybe when you're older.
0:07:57 > 0:07:58Love you.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01It's hard for somebody to admit that they need help.
0:08:01 > 0:08:02But...
0:08:04 > 0:08:07..there's that time and there's that point where you just say...
0:08:09 > 0:08:10"..I need the help."
0:08:13 > 0:08:14Yeah, I need the help.
0:08:19 > 0:08:23So, we're going to move Simon and his kids into the last house
0:08:23 > 0:08:25on Canada Street...
0:08:25 > 0:08:26There we go.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28..one year after we started the project.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30So, this is going to be your house.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34- It's big, isn't it? - Do you like it?- Yeah.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36I mean, difficult to imagine, I know, as a house at the moment,
0:08:36 > 0:08:39- but you're right, there's quite a bit of space.- Yeah, there is.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41It's just what, you know, the kids need, as well.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45- And then through here is going to be the kitchen area.- Kitchen area.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47Yeah! Wow.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49How will it be, being in an environment and a street
0:08:49 > 0:08:52where you know that a lot of the other families living here
0:08:52 > 0:08:53have similar experiences to you?
0:08:53 > 0:08:57It'll be fantastic because, you know, where I live,
0:08:57 > 0:08:59there's not many people I can talk to about
0:08:59 > 0:09:03my past experiences and stuff, and not many people understand
0:09:03 > 0:09:06what veterans or, you know, people like myself
0:09:06 > 0:09:08have actually been through.
0:09:08 > 0:09:11Well, there's an army of trades and volunteers here today
0:09:11 > 0:09:15who do understand, and they're here to rebuild Simon's life.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17APPLAUSE
0:09:17 > 0:09:19- Morning everyone.- Morning.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23I just want to say, you know, all the people that are volunteering,
0:09:23 > 0:09:25this means a lot to me.
0:09:25 > 0:09:26It's... Wow.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28It's...
0:09:28 > 0:09:29Thank you. Erm...
0:09:31 > 0:09:33Er...
0:09:35 > 0:09:38- Has it kind of hit you a bit? - Yeah, it has actually.
0:09:38 > 0:09:39I didn't think it would.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42You know, I'm just overwhelmed, you know,
0:09:42 > 0:09:44the amount of volunteers that are here, it's brilliant.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46As you look around, a lot of familiar faces,
0:09:46 > 0:09:49a lot of people who came and helped us the first time around.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51So, in ten days, you're going to walk back into
0:09:51 > 0:09:53a fully finished house, and that means that, effectively,
0:09:53 > 0:09:55that'll be the end of the mission we started out on.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58- Are we up for this? ALL:- Yeah!
0:09:58 > 0:09:59There you go.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02And, as ever, Manchester hasn't let us down.
0:10:02 > 0:10:03What a great turnout we've got.
0:10:05 > 0:10:06It's lovely to be back.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08It's nice that we're going to be finishing it.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10Are we happy, boys?
0:10:10 > 0:10:12Shaun was here last year,
0:10:12 > 0:10:16Sam was here last year, and Simon's coming up later and him and Sam
0:10:16 > 0:10:19will run the job, and I'll just sit in the Winnebago,
0:10:19 > 0:10:20you know what I mean.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23It's really nice to see everybody back.
0:10:23 > 0:10:25It's amazing the pull that the military have.
0:10:25 > 0:10:27You know, they just come in here...
0:10:27 > 0:10:28It's just lovely, lovely.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30Lovely to see you again.
0:10:30 > 0:10:32What's your vibe on this one? How are you feeling about this one?
0:10:32 > 0:10:35Great, great. Lots of old faces, yeah. It's like...
0:10:36 > 0:10:38..we're finishing the job.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40We started together, we'll finish together.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43But, unfortunately, one of our family members is missing today.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46Poor old Chris has got a terrible migraine.
0:10:46 > 0:10:47So, we've lost him for the day.
0:10:47 > 0:10:51I hope it's only just today, because I need him back here, ASAP.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53Yeah, too right. These boys don't mess around.
0:10:53 > 0:10:57The internal walls should hopefully be up by the end of the day.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59- First window in.- See, we've only been here an hour
0:10:59 > 0:11:02and we've already got the windows in, but there's lots to do,
0:11:02 > 0:11:07and our designer, Gabby, has got big plans for this old house.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10What specific things are you going to be piling into this house
0:11:10 > 0:11:12for him and his family?
0:11:12 > 0:11:16Well, the tricky thing about Simon is, despite the fact he's had
0:11:16 > 0:11:19this horrific injury, is that he just wants to crack on.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23You know, he's a proper soldier. He doesn't want complicated equipment.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25He doesn't want anyone feeling sorry for him.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27- So I've got to...- Stairlift or...?
0:11:27 > 0:11:31No, he doesn't want it. He does not want it, and it's actually bad,
0:11:31 > 0:11:35I think, for his morale. He is really, really upset
0:11:35 > 0:11:36at even the thought of it.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38So what I've got to do is put lots of, kind of...
0:11:38 > 0:11:41I suppose in military terms, like, covert ops assistance.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45So I've got to put lots of things that are going to help him.
0:11:45 > 0:11:46He can lean on things.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48There's lots of spaces for him to sit down.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50We just have to really think our way round it.
0:11:50 > 0:11:53It's invisible, but it's there to help him.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Right, pay attention, you horrible lot! This is what we're up to.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58Downstairs, the family lounge at the front will give
0:11:58 > 0:12:00Simon and his kids space, but it could also act as
0:12:00 > 0:12:03a breakaway sanctuary if Simon needs to rest.
0:12:03 > 0:12:04In the kitchen, at the back,
0:12:04 > 0:12:08a huge centre-piece table will help draw the family together.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11They'll be able to bond over Dad's delicious home-cooked meals.
0:12:11 > 0:12:16Importantly for Simon, we'll be installing a downstairs bathroom,
0:12:16 > 0:12:19easily accessible through the large utility space
0:12:19 > 0:12:20and specially-widened doors.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23It's upstairs where the advantage of having a double width house
0:12:23 > 0:12:27really shows. Three generous bedrooms means that Dad
0:12:27 > 0:12:29will get his own room,
0:12:29 > 0:12:31and the kids will have plenty of their own space
0:12:31 > 0:12:33in which to play and grow into.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35And the bathroom will be bespoke for Simon,
0:12:35 > 0:12:37designed to support him in subtle ways
0:12:37 > 0:12:41that means this proud ex-soldier retains his dignity.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44Problem is, Gabby's big plans for the bathroom
0:12:44 > 0:12:48are going to put a strain on the fabric of this old house.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54So, my worry is - these walls are rubbish.
0:12:54 > 0:12:58And they're really old and crumbly, and I'm trying to hang
0:12:58 > 0:13:00a cantilevered bench off this.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03Not just for fluffy design reasons, but because we need a dry zone,
0:13:03 > 0:13:06then moving into the wet zone, so he can remove his foot,
0:13:06 > 0:13:11scooch along the bench and then have a lovely shower and then come back.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13This bench needs to take a lot of weight,
0:13:13 > 0:13:17so these walls must be ply lined.
0:13:17 > 0:13:18And the same throughout this house,
0:13:18 > 0:13:21there are various sections that we have to have lined,
0:13:21 > 0:13:24so they can take the strength of what's going to hang on them.
0:13:24 > 0:13:25She's very good, isn't she?
0:13:25 > 0:13:27Now, I've left Jules in charge of the garden,
0:13:27 > 0:13:29which may have been a mistake.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32You don't mind me saying? What the hell is going on?
0:13:32 > 0:13:35I walked out of here with a perfectly flat garden...
0:13:35 > 0:13:36and you've made holes all over it.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40Well, what we've done - you know we like to do things properly.
0:13:40 > 0:13:42- Yes.- We didn't like the look of the drainage.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45It was really old-fashioned, everything would've blocked
0:13:45 > 0:13:48- and hung up in it.- You reckon? - And the thing is, now is the time
0:13:48 > 0:13:50to do it, innit? You don't want to, like, set a patio
0:13:50 > 0:13:53and then start having problems with the drains and have to rip it
0:13:53 > 0:13:56all up, so we've replaced everything.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58Taken the whole system out?
0:13:58 > 0:14:00The whole system. So everything's...
0:14:00 > 0:14:02Yeah, everything's going to be brand-new.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04You quite like a bit of drainage, don't you?
0:14:04 > 0:14:05Yeah, I don't mind a bit of drainage.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07It's all about laying pipes, really.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09- And over the years...- Yeah.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12- ..you've laid a bit of pipe, haven't you?- I have.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14Well, he seems happy enough, I'm going back inside.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17You know what that is up there? That's a Flanagan.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20- I know, the Flanagans are back. - Yeah.- Yeah.- Let's go up.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23I'll go up and say hello. Come on, I'll introduce you.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25Mr Flanagan, thank you.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27Mr Flanagan is actually a councillor, who worked with us
0:14:27 > 0:14:30all the way through the last one. From the council's point of view,
0:14:30 > 0:14:33last year, fantastic job of everybody joining in.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35Is it something that's ongoing?
0:14:35 > 0:14:37Has it changed how people think about things?
0:14:37 > 0:14:40It sure has. I mean, the vets that have come into the area
0:14:40 > 0:14:43have engaged with the community and we've had them involved in
0:14:43 > 0:14:45various events, but the community around them as well,
0:14:45 > 0:14:47it's really lifted them.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49As you can see, the street, it wasn't just the vets' house
0:14:49 > 0:14:52that you did, you did the whole street, and from what was
0:14:52 > 0:14:54a very rundown street, there's a real energy now.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57Take an image of what you first came to and what you did.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59Amazing, amazing job.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03Being back on the street to finish it off is proof
0:15:03 > 0:15:07that the real legacy is the birth of a special community.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11And it's one that's helped veteran and PTSD sufferer Mark,
0:15:11 > 0:15:13who has moved onto the street.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18One of the best things is, even if you're having a really bad week,
0:15:18 > 0:15:21it's easy for other people to identify that much more
0:15:21 > 0:15:24than in, say, a normal community, where you haven't got...
0:15:24 > 0:15:26a high percentage of veterans,
0:15:26 > 0:15:30all kind of suffering from similar conditions, and types of disorders.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32So, if I'm kind of in the house,
0:15:32 > 0:15:34and people will notice that much more easily here,
0:15:34 > 0:15:37that I'm not being as kind of sociable as I normally have
0:15:37 > 0:15:39and they'll kind of make more of an effort to dig me out
0:15:39 > 0:15:41and cheer me up. And it's the same with people, like John
0:15:41 > 0:15:44and other guys on the street. If I notice they're struggling,
0:15:44 > 0:15:47I'll be able to identify that really easily and help them out.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50It's all a part of that bigger community picture, really.
0:15:50 > 0:15:51It's great.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54It's clear the street is working, and someone who knows just
0:15:54 > 0:15:57how much Simon and the kids will flourish here
0:15:57 > 0:15:59is his older sister, Amanda.
0:15:59 > 0:16:02You can never quite understand what these guys have been through,
0:16:02 > 0:16:05and having residents that he'll befriend
0:16:05 > 0:16:08and being part of a community.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11I've heard the residents here are just so close knit.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13I think it's exactly what he needs,
0:16:13 > 0:16:16because he needs support around him, a social support,
0:16:16 > 0:16:19you know, that he hasn't got right now.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21- So, it's perfect.- When you talk to him about it, he's like...
0:16:21 > 0:16:24- He does his cheeky chappy thing, doesn't he?- Yeah, yeah.
0:16:24 > 0:16:28He's like, "Ah, no, everything's all right, everything's all right, everything's all right."
0:16:28 > 0:16:31But you can see actually underneath, everything's not all right...
0:16:31 > 0:16:32- No.- ..and he's fluffing over it.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35- A lot of bravado.- Yeah.- He's struggled to find a way to deal with
0:16:35 > 0:16:38everything that he needs to deal with, that most of us do in life,
0:16:38 > 0:16:40whilst feeling very disabled.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42- It's a challenge for him, isn't it? - Of course it is.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44You know, nobody ever sets out to be a single parent
0:16:44 > 0:16:46and that's really effectively what he is.
0:16:47 > 0:16:49It really is a challenge.
0:16:49 > 0:16:52I think having three kids is a challenge for anyone.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55I don't have three of them at any one time!
0:16:55 > 0:16:57I can handle them quite well,
0:16:57 > 0:17:01- but he's amazing with them, with those kids.- Is he?
0:17:01 > 0:17:02Yeah. Oh, God, yeah.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04How he does it, I do not know.
0:17:04 > 0:17:06With one leg, no idea.
0:17:06 > 0:17:07The patience of a saint.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10- Do you think he can grow in place like this?- Absolutely, yeah.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13Having that community spirit and having what will feel
0:17:13 > 0:17:18like an extended family, it'll just give him that support that he needs.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22So, this build is all about building a home that works for Simon,
0:17:22 > 0:17:24with neat and subtle touches that will help him.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28Trouble is, Gabby's still adding extra bits and pieces to her design,
0:17:28 > 0:17:30which isn't good for Mark, but hilarious for us.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32Can I open that fireplace up?
0:17:32 > 0:17:34Yeah. Yeah. So you're putting a fire in there as well?
0:17:34 > 0:17:36- Yeah.- Oh, yeah, that's nice.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41So I'm putting a fire that you don't know about in there.
0:17:41 > 0:17:42In a hole that he doesn't know about.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46In a hole that you don't know about, and I'm panelling the room.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49And I'm doing brick slips in there on the wall.
0:17:51 > 0:17:52Brick slips on what?
0:17:52 > 0:17:54On two walls in the kitchen.
0:17:54 > 0:17:56You're putting brick slips in the kitchen?
0:17:56 > 0:17:58He's about to go.
0:17:58 > 0:17:59He's about to go!
0:17:59 > 0:18:02I told him to be nice, but he's about to go.
0:18:02 > 0:18:03NICK LAUGHS
0:18:03 > 0:18:06How is anyone going to clean brick slips?
0:18:06 > 0:18:09Really? How is anybody going to clean brick slips?
0:18:09 > 0:18:10We knew it couldn't last.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14You can't put brick slips on a wall in the kitchen, can you?!
0:18:14 > 0:18:15What's so funny?
0:18:15 > 0:18:18Are you mad? Are you absolutely mad?
0:18:18 > 0:18:20She's not putting brick slips on anything in the kitchen,
0:18:20 > 0:18:23- she just wanted to see how far she could push it.- I am, I am.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26- You can't really put brick slips in. - I am. It'll be fine.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28Well, there's in point in arguing with Gabby
0:18:28 > 0:18:30when she's got an idea in her head, but, to be fair, she has put a lot
0:18:30 > 0:18:32of thought into the kitchen.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34This massive space will become the heart of the house.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36It's where Simon will be able to cook,
0:18:36 > 0:18:39and we know how important that is to him in his mental health,
0:18:39 > 0:18:43as well as his physical health, and feeding the kids.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45As you can see, we're making progress downstairs
0:18:45 > 0:18:46and upstairs, too.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49All the partitions are happening, so we're starting to see
0:18:49 > 0:18:51separate rooms. This is the bedroom, this is another bedroom.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53Another bedroom over here, and then finally,
0:18:53 > 0:18:55the big family bathroom in this area.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58All the electrics are in, the plumbing's starting to go in.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01It's been a pretty good day and there's a great vibe on site.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04In fact, there's a great vibe on the street.
0:19:04 > 0:19:05There's my mate, Lamin.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10These three are Lamy's kids.
0:19:10 > 0:19:11And there's more over there. Hello!
0:19:13 > 0:19:15- How are you doing?- Fine, fine.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17- Nice to see you. - Nice to see you, too!
0:19:17 > 0:19:19How's your house?
0:19:19 > 0:19:20- Fine.- Do you like it?
0:19:20 > 0:19:23- Love it!- Your bedroom still good?
0:19:23 > 0:19:24- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27Isn't that lovely? Kids hanging out of the windows, chatting,
0:19:27 > 0:19:30kids playing in the street, family looking out the window.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32It's just how it should be.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34Love it, love it.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39It's day two of the build.
0:19:39 > 0:19:40Morning.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42And look who's back.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44Morning. Are you all right, chaps?
0:19:44 > 0:19:46Here we are, look.
0:19:46 > 0:19:47The last one.
0:19:47 > 0:19:50CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:19:50 > 0:19:52Return of the Chris!
0:19:52 > 0:19:54Yes, he's back, and not a moment too soon.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58Billy and his boys have been going like, well, billyo.
0:19:58 > 0:20:00This is now finished up here.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02We can give it to the plasterers,
0:20:02 > 0:20:05and we can now go downstairs and concentrate on the kitchen area.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08Well done, Bill, I think he deserves a little treat.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11Bill, Bill, Bill, wait, wait, I have some news for you.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14What sport do you love most in the world?
0:20:17 > 0:20:19- Well, football.- Yeah, thanks.
0:20:19 > 0:20:21Why was that such a long time to say...?
0:20:21 > 0:20:24Because sometimes you get disillusioned with the way
0:20:24 > 0:20:28some of the players react and act, but football is my passion.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30But you live for the big games, don't you?
0:20:30 > 0:20:33- The massive games.- There's actually quite a big game on in Manchester,
0:20:33 > 0:20:36- isn't there, today?- I know.- I've actually managed to get two tickets.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38You.. Is he having me on?
0:20:41 > 0:20:44"Two tickets will be left on City home reception
0:20:44 > 0:20:47"at the Etihad Stadium for collection at 4.30pm by Billy.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50"Thanks for doing what you're doing in our community."
0:20:50 > 0:20:51INDISTINCT
0:20:54 > 0:20:56It's amazing.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58Oh, Bill!
0:20:58 > 0:21:02To see it live, one of the top games you're going to see in the football.
0:21:02 > 0:21:04- You know...- You've gone and welled up, haven't you?
0:21:04 > 0:21:07Yeah, cos you don't get chances like that, do you?
0:21:07 > 0:21:08Two tickets. Two!
0:21:08 > 0:21:11- Two tickets!- Who can I take?
0:21:11 > 0:21:13Well, you could take like one of your best friends.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16Yeah, cos they've go the time to get up from Welwyn Garden City,
0:21:16 > 0:21:18- haven't they?- Or you could choose somebody that's
0:21:18 > 0:21:20really close to you, maybe...
0:21:20 > 0:21:24Chris likes football now, because since he's been working with us...
0:21:24 > 0:21:27Chris has got to work late tonight. It's a plastering day,
0:21:27 > 0:21:29he's doing a lot of prep around here, so Chris can't make it,
0:21:29 > 0:21:32your mates can't make it from Welwyn. Who could you possibly...?
0:21:32 > 0:21:34- Jules, Jules. - Jules doesn't even like football!
0:21:34 > 0:21:36Who else might you be able to ask?!
0:21:36 > 0:21:38I'll have to ask one of my sparks.
0:21:42 > 0:21:45Man City aren't the only generous people around here, of course.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47These plumbers have not only given up their time,
0:21:47 > 0:21:50but they've paid for the materials out of their own pockets.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52Aren't people magnificent?
0:21:52 > 0:21:54So, are you ex-forces yourself?
0:21:54 > 0:21:55- I am.- You are.- Yeah.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58Is that why you really wanted to get involved and go the extra mile?
0:21:58 > 0:22:02Well, to be honest, being ex-forces doesn't really come into it.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04It's just about giving something back a little bit.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08When a situation comes along or you're given the opportunity for you
0:22:08 > 0:22:10to do something, using your skills, to help somebody,
0:22:10 > 0:22:13that clearly that has helped us,
0:22:13 > 0:22:16we're all over that and make sure it happens for him.
0:22:16 > 0:22:17Brilliant. Brilliant.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20I'm really chuffed. Thank you, lads, I really appreciate it.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22We'll get out of your way and let you get along with doing it.
0:22:22 > 0:22:23Thank you. Amazing, lads, eh?
0:22:23 > 0:22:26And elsewhere, the commitment to the cause is evident in the garden.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29Now, we don't have Chelsea gold medal designer Adam Frost
0:22:29 > 0:22:31this time round, we've got Gabs.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33Less green finger, more gold finger.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35The main thing is that she keeps it simple.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39Yeah, well we've got loads to fit in here.
0:22:39 > 0:22:41Simon wants to be a personal trainer.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45- OK. Good.- And so we're going to put some amazing outdoor gym equipment,
0:22:45 > 0:22:48that we've tailored specifically to his needs, and also
0:22:48 > 0:22:50will be really fun for the kids.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52I think Manchester's the ideal place to have outdoor gym equipment.
0:22:52 > 0:22:54It's not known for its weather at all.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56Darling, it'll be fine, he's a soldier.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59So we're trying to build an environment in which it will
0:22:59 > 0:23:02be difficult for him to train because he's a soldier?
0:23:02 > 0:23:05There's an army saying, my love, "skin is waterproof", it'll be fine.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08- Is that right?- Yeah. And then we're going to plant loads of fruit,
0:23:08 > 0:23:12loads of veg, cos Simon's also really keen on healthy eating.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15He loves cooking for his kids. He really prides himself.
0:23:15 > 0:23:16- OK. That's very lovely.- Yeah.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20So, we're keeping some high-end design loveliness...
0:23:20 > 0:23:23- Of course.- ..in amongst what is actually a fruit and veg garden
0:23:23 > 0:23:25with a gym in it.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27You just ruin everything, don't you?
0:23:27 > 0:23:31- Here's your mate from last year. - Paul.- Paul, come over.
0:23:31 > 0:23:32Paul, come here.
0:23:32 > 0:23:34If I bring you over here and she talks to you,
0:23:34 > 0:23:37- do you promise not to get emotional? - I won't cry, no, not this time.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40- Are you sure?- Are you going to cry, you look a bit serious?- I might cry.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42- I'm just tired. - So, how is it to be back then?
0:23:42 > 0:23:45Finishing off a street, knowing that there'll be 17 families
0:23:45 > 0:23:47in it now, that didn't have homes before?
0:23:47 > 0:23:48It's great. It is.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50- It means a lot. - Has it changed things for you?
0:23:50 > 0:23:53Has it changed your life being involved in this?
0:23:55 > 0:23:57- If I could do it every day now, I would do.- Would you?- I would.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01I find this better than putting my hand in my pocket
0:24:01 > 0:24:03- and putting some money in a jar, if you know what I mean.- Yeah.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06Because you see the result of what you've done.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11And nowhere is that more keenly felt than with our first two residents,
0:24:11 > 0:24:12Lamin and John.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17When we first met triple amputee Lamin,
0:24:17 > 0:24:20he was struggling to be a father to his five children and just wanted to
0:24:20 > 0:24:23be able to get upstairs and read his kids a bedtime story.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27I can give them what they want. I can be there for them.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32And PTSD sufferer John, that experienced such severe flashbacks
0:24:32 > 0:24:35that he was barely able to leave his house.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39It's just like living in, like, a constant fear of being haunted
0:24:39 > 0:24:42by the things that you've seen and done.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45A year on and the difference in these two men
0:24:45 > 0:24:47is nothing short of incredible.
0:24:52 > 0:24:53Nice to see you two boys in here together.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56And, of course, from the moment that you became neighbours,
0:24:56 > 0:24:58- you also became buddies.- Yeah.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01So, as a project, we were hoping it was going to work,
0:25:01 > 0:25:05but it was your lives that were experimented with.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07- We're the guinea pigs. - Kind of, yeah.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10Has it worked for you guy, individually?
0:25:10 > 0:25:14In 12 months there's been a massive improvement in me, definitely.
0:25:14 > 0:25:15You can see it.
0:25:15 > 0:25:17You know, the man that I met 12 months ago when we first came up
0:25:17 > 0:25:19to do the project was a different man altogether.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22I think the best thing for me was before I didn't have
0:25:22 > 0:25:25no social network whatsoever or no friends
0:25:25 > 0:25:27cos I wasn't from this area, really.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31Since that build, I've become really good friends with a lot of the volunteers
0:25:31 > 0:25:36that worked on the project and I've build an awesome social network.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38Going back over a few moments from last year as well,
0:25:38 > 0:25:43one of the things that a lot of people talked about was Lamin.
0:25:43 > 0:25:45When I talked to you about the difficulties you were in,
0:25:45 > 0:25:47you were very strong and in control
0:25:47 > 0:25:51and yet when you finally walked down the road and saw the house...
0:25:51 > 0:25:53LAMIN LAUGHS AND SOBS
0:25:53 > 0:25:56..that was like a massive emotional release for you.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59What was it that you saw that suddenly made you emotional, do you think?
0:25:59 > 0:26:01When I was walking along, there were so many people
0:26:01 > 0:26:04putting some effort just to make this happen.
0:26:04 > 0:26:09As a human being, it was overwhelming,
0:26:09 > 0:26:10so much so that I can't contain it.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13- So it was about the fact that people care.- Yeah, people care.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17It's just so overwhelming the amount of people that are here
0:26:17 > 0:26:19to actually support this.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22At the time I was thinking that nobody cared about you at all.
0:26:22 > 0:26:24And, again, I felt so alone and isolated,
0:26:24 > 0:26:27but then to see everybody there coming together
0:26:27 > 0:26:29was just unbelievable.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32It's so important to show our veterans that people do care
0:26:32 > 0:26:34and everyone on site is pushing hard
0:26:34 > 0:26:38to get this final house completed in time.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40It's like theatre.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42They're all working in unison, lovely.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45Well, it's not Shakespeare, but they are shaking a leg,
0:26:45 > 0:26:47and it's starting to look like a front room.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50I'm hoping, right - don't told me to it -
0:26:50 > 0:26:53that all the plastering will be done by tomorrow evening.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55The house, finished.
0:26:55 > 0:26:57That's where I want to be.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59Hallway, hallway all skimmed out up here.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01Look, whoosh.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04Beautiful.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07And in here all plastered out, ready for tiling now.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09We can clean this out.
0:27:09 > 0:27:10We've got the shower tray in.
0:27:10 > 0:27:15Hold on, we have got the shower tray in.
0:27:15 > 0:27:16And it's not the only shower.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19The weather's taken a turn for the worst.
0:27:19 > 0:27:20Well, it is Manchester.
0:27:20 > 0:27:23Still, this hasn't stopped a very special little visitor coming
0:27:23 > 0:27:25to check up on your progress.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29It's Noah. Hasn't he grown?
0:27:30 > 0:27:32Hello, young man.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34What do you think to this back garden then, do you like it?
0:27:34 > 0:27:37- Yeah.- It'll be nice when it's finished.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39You're going to have some new neighbours, aren't you?
0:27:39 > 0:27:42- Yeah.- Yeah. Another young family moving in?
0:27:42 > 0:27:47Yeah. You need a hat for bricks doesn't fall on you.
0:27:47 > 0:27:48Oh, I should have a hat on.
0:27:48 > 0:27:49Yeah, I should have a hat on,
0:27:49 > 0:27:52but lucky I'm outside and there's no scaffolding above me.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54- Yeah. - THEY LAUGH
0:27:54 > 0:27:57Looks like we've got ourselves a little health and safety expert there.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01- Well, Noah, it's lovely to meet you again. I'll say goodbye.- Bye.
0:28:01 > 0:28:02Bye-bye. Lovely to meet you.
0:28:02 > 0:28:04- See you tomorrow, John. - Yeah, see you later.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06All right, I'm going to go and plaster these walls up.
0:28:06 > 0:28:07- Yeah, no worries.- See ya.
0:28:07 > 0:28:09Yeah, let's get you out of the rain.
0:28:09 > 0:28:12So it's a nice hot bath and a mug of cocoa for Noah,
0:28:12 > 0:28:14several hours of plastering for Chris,
0:28:14 > 0:28:16and for me, it's a night at the footie.
0:28:16 > 0:28:19Yeah, Billy finally saw sense and invited me!
0:28:23 > 0:28:25Morning. Morning.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27Morning. Morning. Morning!
0:28:28 > 0:28:30Oh, he's like a little cockerel.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32I said cockerel.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35Bacon sandwiches all round and the vibe is good on site.
0:28:35 > 0:28:40The enthusiasm that was generated last time inspired some, like Paul Matson,
0:28:40 > 0:28:43who wanted to do his own version of the project in Hull.
0:28:43 > 0:28:45- Nice to have you all here and...- Yeah, of course.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47..you were with us a year ago,
0:28:47 > 0:28:49and it made such a profound difference on you,
0:28:49 > 0:28:53- that you decided to try and make a difference where you live, so tell us about that?- Yeah, yeah.
0:28:53 > 0:28:56Well, basically I went back to Hull, having done what we'd done here,
0:28:56 > 0:28:59and realised that lots of veterans are in need.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01Cos I really didn't know that lots of veterans was in need.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04I fell down a little bit when I went out of the army,
0:29:04 > 0:29:07and then came here, seen what we was doing here,
0:29:07 > 0:29:10then went back to Hull and seen some derelict houses and thought - why not?
0:29:12 > 0:29:14Paul enlisted the help of some mates,
0:29:14 > 0:29:17and together they renovated a number of houses for veterans.
0:29:17 > 0:29:19But having now become a registered charity,
0:29:19 > 0:29:21along with the local council,
0:29:21 > 0:29:23they've got big plans to create brand-new homes
0:29:23 > 0:29:27on this patch of land for veterans and their families.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30The people of the city of Hull were straight on board.
0:29:30 > 0:29:35We got 16,000 people on our Facebook group within a week, which was phenomenal.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38And then as soon as that happened, we started talking to the council,
0:29:38 > 0:29:40the council straight away backed us.
0:29:40 > 0:29:42It was...
0:29:42 > 0:29:45I went with a big argument, I wanted a big fight and we never got one,
0:29:45 > 0:29:48we just got backed straight away which was absolutely fantastic.
0:29:48 > 0:29:52So the city of Hull, the people of Hull, we can't go wrong.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55Brilliant. And it's that amazing commitment to the cause
0:29:55 > 0:29:57that's driving this build onwards.
0:29:57 > 0:29:58This is really exciting -
0:29:58 > 0:30:01the kitchen's going in.
0:30:01 > 0:30:04I know you think - why is that exciting?
0:30:04 > 0:30:05I'm telling you, it's exciting
0:30:05 > 0:30:08cos I know we've only got four days to go when the kitchen goes in.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11Yeah, I think you need to get out more, Mark.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13And whilst Gabby's design is being realised on site,
0:30:13 > 0:30:16she's gone off to commission some bespoke ceramics,
0:30:16 > 0:30:20enlisting the help of Simon's kids. Kobi, Lilly-Anne, and Damaso.
0:30:20 > 0:30:24They are, after all, designers in the making,
0:30:24 > 0:30:25and they love their dad.
0:30:25 > 0:30:27It's going to be a Batmanbile.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29- A Batmanbile!- Yes.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31If your daddy was going to be a superhero,
0:30:31 > 0:30:33what kind of superhero would he be?
0:30:33 > 0:30:35He'll be Superman.
0:30:35 > 0:30:36Yeah, I think he's superman.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40Because he's nice and he's kind.
0:30:40 > 0:30:42That's a pretty good reason.
0:30:42 > 0:30:44And is it cos he's brave and strong?
0:30:44 > 0:30:47Yeah. I love my daddy.
0:30:48 > 0:30:51What do you think your new house is going to be like?
0:30:51 > 0:30:53Are you excited about moving house?
0:30:53 > 0:30:54Yeah.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57And it's the best house.
0:30:58 > 0:31:03Would it be nice for you to have a bit more room to play at home?
0:31:03 > 0:31:05- Yeah.- And do you think...
0:31:05 > 0:31:09Do you have any place to play where you're living at the moment, Kobi?
0:31:09 > 0:31:11- No.- So you can't play outside?
0:31:11 > 0:31:16No, because when Dad's foot is hurting,
0:31:16 > 0:31:19when I'm at my new house,
0:31:19 > 0:31:21then I can get to play out every day.
0:31:23 > 0:31:26That would be really cool, wouldn't it?
0:31:26 > 0:31:30Isn't it interesting what kids think is important in the new home?
0:31:30 > 0:31:34Back on Canada Street, the gym equipment for Super Dad has arrived.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38It is state-of-the-art stuff, although a little bit hi-tech.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41- What's that?- Hand bike.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44- It's a hand bike. - It's outdoor gym equipment.- Right.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47With a motor and a generator in it which will actually provide power,
0:31:47 > 0:31:49so you can run some lighting from it,
0:31:49 > 0:31:52or you can just plug your phone in and charge your phone while you're exercising,
0:31:52 > 0:31:55so you're not wasting your not wasting the energy.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57- Nice!- You're putting your own energy to good use.
0:31:57 > 0:32:00Blimey, what's Billy going to make of this?
0:32:00 > 0:32:02I happen to notice there's an electrical cable in there.
0:32:02 > 0:32:05It's amazing. It's the first time we've ever put one of these in, isn't it?
0:32:05 > 0:32:07Apparently they stick them in parks and stuff
0:32:07 > 0:32:09so that people can come up and plug their phone in
0:32:09 > 0:32:11and sit just there pedalling on the thing.
0:32:11 > 0:32:14If your phone runs out whilst you're out, you can go and plug it in and pedal it.
0:32:14 > 0:32:16But if they put them in parks,
0:32:16 > 0:32:19I mean, that must be such a long cable run.
0:32:19 > 0:32:20It must be, mustn't it?
0:32:20 > 0:32:22They're not on battery, are they?
0:32:22 > 0:32:26So, if you put one in a park and we've got to run cable to it, it's got to be a massive cable run.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28You don't run cable to it. You run cable from it.
0:32:28 > 0:32:32- When you... - Of course it's a dynamo, innit?
0:32:32 > 0:32:34Oh, it's like them old push bikes we used to...
0:32:34 > 0:32:36Oh, I know, I know now.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38LAUGHTER
0:32:38 > 0:32:40And welcome back.
0:32:40 > 0:32:41It's nice of you to catch up finally,
0:32:41 > 0:32:43after we've been talking about this all week.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46You don't run cable to it, you run cable from it, Bill.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49Which then generates electricity for what?
0:32:49 > 0:32:52Low-voltage lights or anything.
0:32:52 > 0:32:55You could charge your phone up on it, couldn't you?
0:32:56 > 0:32:58Oh, I tell you, it's so funny.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01He just keeps you laughing all day, doesn't he? You know that.
0:33:01 > 0:33:03- How does this work, then? - LAUGHTER
0:33:05 > 0:33:08Did you hear that in the background there - "How does this work, then?"
0:33:10 > 0:33:1118 years this.
0:33:11 > 0:33:1418 years!
0:33:14 > 0:33:16You see this, this is the downstairs loo.
0:33:16 > 0:33:18No more traipsing up and down the stairs for Simon.
0:33:18 > 0:33:20It's rather nice in here.
0:33:20 > 0:33:22Everywhere else is cluttered with loads and loads of stuff
0:33:22 > 0:33:25and yous have got a lovely peaceful little room to be on.
0:33:25 > 0:33:29- And is this the last one, is it? - Last one, yeah.- All done now.
0:33:29 > 0:33:30So all the plastering will be done today?
0:33:30 > 0:33:33- All done. - Thank you very much, gents.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35- Thank you. - You've done a cracking job.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38And the good work continues upstairs, too.
0:33:38 > 0:33:41So here we are in the fabulous bathroom.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44Amazing cantilevered bench is in,
0:33:44 > 0:33:47and Ollie and the guys are tiling around it.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50And luckily I've chosen some really small tiles for a lot of wall.
0:33:50 > 0:33:52So, Ollie, are you OK down there?
0:33:52 > 0:33:54Yeah, yeah it's all good.
0:33:54 > 0:33:56There's just so much stuff, just in this one room.
0:33:56 > 0:34:00I could be freaking out just about finishing this one room alone,
0:34:00 > 0:34:03but we've got many more rooms to do.
0:34:03 > 0:34:06And many more to freak out in.
0:34:06 > 0:34:07Well, Gabby we did try to warn you,
0:34:07 > 0:34:10but you did want your own way and it usually works out in the end.
0:34:10 > 0:34:12Your brick slips are going on in the kitchen, by the way.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14I still don't think they're a good idea,
0:34:14 > 0:34:17but there you go what can we... Oh, no, what's going on there? That doesn't look good!
0:34:17 > 0:34:20Spud, seriously, what's happening?
0:34:20 > 0:34:22There's been a bit of a mess up.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24HE LAUGHS
0:34:24 > 0:34:28What's happened here is the opening is bang on
0:34:28 > 0:34:32and there's only about 2 or 3ml play in the frame.
0:34:32 > 0:34:36So what we've got to do is we've got to put one side of the frame in so we can swing it round.
0:34:36 > 0:34:42To be able to swing it round like that, you've to cut that wall back, really, really tight.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45It means we've got to do a load of plastering to sort it out tomorrow
0:34:45 > 0:34:48and tomorrow's supposed to be the last day of the build.
0:34:48 > 0:34:52Spud, we'll let you tell Chris about the replastering job.
0:34:52 > 0:34:53Right. We're at this end.
0:34:53 > 0:34:56Just one minute, boys.
0:34:56 > 0:34:57Take the bottom in a bit.
0:34:57 > 0:35:01How many builders does it take to fit a bifold door?
0:35:05 > 0:35:07- It's in! - CHEERING
0:35:07 > 0:35:09Obviously that many.
0:35:09 > 0:35:11Come on, let's go for the pint.
0:35:11 > 0:35:17We could all do with pint but everyone on site wants to stay and get the job done.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20So, we've still got quite a lot to do and it is dark,
0:35:20 > 0:35:22but we have lights, we have a good attitude
0:35:22 > 0:35:25and we have 24 hours to get this finished.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27I think we're going to do all right on this one.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33It's the last day of the build and I'm waltzing in,
0:35:33 > 0:35:36literally waltzing in.
0:35:36 > 0:35:38Ha-ha!
0:35:38 > 0:35:40Oh, look at the state of that. Chris doesn't look happy.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44- Morning.- What's going on? - I think everyone is ahead.
0:35:44 > 0:35:45We are ahead at the moment.
0:35:45 > 0:35:48The garden's ahead of the schedule that we usually are.
0:35:48 > 0:35:50Downstairs is ahead. Decorator's been in.
0:35:50 > 0:35:54I think by this afternoon people will be moving furniture.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57Gabs' cantilevered bench is getting its stone top.
0:35:57 > 0:35:59That looks lovely, doesn't it?
0:35:59 > 0:36:02And with toilets being installed both upstairs and downstairs,
0:36:02 > 0:36:04life should be a lot easier for Simon in this house,
0:36:04 > 0:36:07especially in the kitchen, where he spends most of his time
0:36:07 > 0:36:09and we're putting in some pretty special things.
0:36:09 > 0:36:13So these guys are actually putting in what we're calling a rising hob,
0:36:13 > 0:36:15which is an interesting thing, so that you can sit down and cook,
0:36:15 > 0:36:17for people, obviously, with wheelchairs,
0:36:17 > 0:36:20but people, obviously, like Simon, who has a leg injury.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22It's sore for him to stand up for any length of time
0:36:22 > 0:36:26and if he spends a lot of time cooking, which he likes to do, sitting will be better.
0:36:26 > 0:36:27So we have a rising hob,
0:36:27 > 0:36:30which is going to go up and down on these things here.
0:36:30 > 0:36:32They're fairly complicated.
0:36:32 > 0:36:34They're great when they work,
0:36:34 > 0:36:37and we're hoping that that will be the case by the end of today.
0:36:37 > 0:36:39- Yes, no?- Definitely.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41Great, a positive mental attitude.
0:36:41 > 0:36:46So at this point I need to ask you what exactly are you up to?
0:36:46 > 0:36:48Well, we're testing it, aren't we, Richard?
0:36:48 > 0:36:50Have you built this off site?
0:36:50 > 0:36:52Yeah, we've been in Leeds, building this one.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54And what do you make of the whole project?
0:36:54 > 0:36:57I think it's amazing, what they've done, what we've all done.
0:36:57 > 0:37:01My grandad served way back in the Royal Engineers,
0:37:01 > 0:37:04and I think he'd be really proud of what's going on now, so...
0:37:04 > 0:37:08I think he'd be really proud you for the work you're doing as well.
0:37:08 > 0:37:12He passed in August, so just gone now
0:37:12 > 0:37:17and I think if he was still here now and could see at all, he'd love it.
0:37:17 > 0:37:18I think he'd be very proud of you.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20- Beautiful work, by the way. - Thank you.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23- And thank you very much, I really appreciate it, thank you. - Yeah, no problem.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25By giving Simon a bedroom to himself,
0:37:25 > 0:37:28he should be able to get a decent night's sleep,
0:37:28 > 0:37:30possibly for the first time in years.
0:37:30 > 0:37:33Not much to ask for an injured hero.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36- Did you like soldiering? - I loved it. Yeah, I did.
0:37:36 > 0:37:39You get to make new mates from different parts of the UK
0:37:39 > 0:37:41and just have a real good bond.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44How difficult is it, then, to find yourself removed from all that
0:37:44 > 0:37:47and back in Civvy Street and trying to find a place?
0:37:49 > 0:37:51It is hard.
0:37:51 > 0:37:56You know, I've said before, you know, not many...
0:37:56 > 0:38:00No civvy understands what we've been through, what we've seen.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04For us, you know, to come out of a job where we're working 24/7,
0:38:04 > 0:38:08to come out of all that and try and get your head around it,
0:38:08 > 0:38:10you know, it really is hard.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14You know, I'd always have to keep myself busy, because...
0:38:14 > 0:38:17it would be like a constant just...
0:38:17 > 0:38:21You'd just end up being lazy and that's not a British soldier.
0:38:21 > 0:38:22British soldiers ain't lazy.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25So what does the future hold? What are you going to do with yourself?
0:38:25 > 0:38:27I do want to have a career in personal fitness
0:38:27 > 0:38:30and help other people with physical disabilities.
0:38:30 > 0:38:32So if we could set up something like, I don't know,
0:38:32 > 0:38:35to help you with your physical training, that would be handy.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37Yeah, I'd like to...
0:38:37 > 0:38:43You know, cos I don't see many people with physical disabilities in gyms these days, you know.
0:38:43 > 0:38:44And that's something that's missing,
0:38:44 > 0:38:47because, you know, just because they've got a physical disability
0:38:47 > 0:38:49doesn't mean that they can't do it.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52Exactly right. I mean, we've seen that from the Paralympics, haven't we?
0:38:52 > 0:38:55So instead of sitting down, you know, come and find me,
0:38:55 > 0:38:58and I'd be more than happy to help you train, yeah.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01I might be a bit strict about it, but at least it gets it done.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03You're going to beast people, aren't you?
0:39:03 > 0:39:05- THEY LAUGH - Yeah.
0:39:05 > 0:39:10You seem to be jolly, easy-going about things and not much of one for feeling sorry for yourself.
0:39:10 > 0:39:14No, not really. Well, I do, but I keep it all to myself.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18But when we walked out of the house the other day and met all the guys waiting to get started on the house,
0:39:18 > 0:39:21- that was actually very emotional for you.- It just caught me, you know.- Why?
0:39:23 > 0:39:26Because it's people taking time out of their normal day lives
0:39:26 > 0:39:29to earn money for themselves for their families,
0:39:29 > 0:39:33and helping somebody they've never known, never known before,
0:39:33 > 0:39:36and, you know, they're helping them build a home.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38You know, and to me, that's just...
0:39:40 > 0:39:43If the world had more people like them,
0:39:43 > 0:39:44I think it would be a better place.
0:39:44 > 0:39:47- What's the most important thing in your world?- My kids.
0:39:47 > 0:39:51I'd do anything for them, you know, I make sure they get the best.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53They give me a reason to wake up of a morning.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56They give me a smile when I go to bed,
0:39:56 > 0:39:58especially when I've got Damaso beside me all the time.
0:40:00 > 0:40:01You know, they...
0:40:03 > 0:40:05They make my life complete.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11Well, let's hope that we can actually give you a house which will make it that little bit easier
0:40:11 > 0:40:13to go forward and develop those relationships,
0:40:13 > 0:40:16- because that's what you're doing, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18- You're making memories for the kids now.- Yeah, it's all about the kids.
0:40:18 > 0:40:22Back on site it's all hands on deck as we get the house finished
0:40:22 > 0:40:25and ready to hand over to Simon and his kids tomorrow morning.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29I tell you what, look how bright that is!
0:40:29 > 0:40:32- The lights are on... - Look what he's done.
0:40:32 > 0:40:34..but no-one's home.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37I've tightened it up cos it was too easy for me.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40I'm absolutely knackered.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43I'm not surprised, you've been working with Billy all week.
0:40:45 > 0:40:47Simon Flores joined the Army at 21
0:40:47 > 0:40:49because he wanted to make a difference.
0:40:49 > 0:40:54But during a tour of Iraq, a roadside bomb took away his foot.
0:40:54 > 0:40:56I had my foot in my hand.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58They literally blew my foot off.
0:40:58 > 0:41:02But Simon is not a man to be afraid of what would get most of us down.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06He rebuilt his life and became Dad to three gorgeous kids.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08- Who wants to take daddy's leg off? - Me.- Me.
0:41:08 > 0:41:10Yeah, we'll have a look at it, see if it's sore.
0:41:10 > 0:41:11OK, go on, then.
0:41:11 > 0:41:15But he's found working difficult because of his devastating injury.
0:41:15 > 0:41:17Oh, look at that red.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19- Aww.- It's sore, isn't it?
0:41:19 > 0:41:22And the house he shared with his children was small,
0:41:22 > 0:41:25un-homely and difficult for him to use as an amputee.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28I do find it difficult, you know, to walk up and down the stairs.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32I would love to have a downstairs loo.
0:41:32 > 0:41:36Thanks to our amazing volunteers, we've turned this empty shell
0:41:36 > 0:41:39into a family home fit for a hero.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42The living room has been transformed.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45What was bricks and mortar is now a warm, inviting escape for Simon,
0:41:45 > 0:41:49somewhere he can relax after looking after the kids all day.
0:41:50 > 0:41:54It was hard to imagine what the kitchen would look like ten days ago,
0:41:54 > 0:41:56but now it's a cooks' paradise for Dad.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58He'll love the hob that goes up and down
0:41:58 > 0:42:01to take the weight off his feet.
0:42:01 > 0:42:05And, yes, Gabs was right, even the brick slips on the wall look great.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07Before the garden was a blank canvas,
0:42:07 > 0:42:11but now it's a multi-zone area for rest and play,
0:42:11 > 0:42:15and somewhere that Simon can work out and start a new career.
0:42:16 > 0:42:21Upstairs, the boys get to share a room perfect for little explorers.
0:42:21 > 0:42:25Lilly-Anne's room is a starlit haven away from the chaos of the boys.
0:42:25 > 0:42:28And Dad finally gets a room of his own,
0:42:28 > 0:42:32complete with a beautiful bespoke four-poster bed.
0:42:32 > 0:42:34And simple design features in the bathroom
0:42:34 > 0:42:39mean that finally Simon can bathe as easily as anyone else.
0:42:41 > 0:42:42Ready?
0:42:43 > 0:42:45Open your eyes.
0:42:47 > 0:42:48Whoa.
0:42:49 > 0:42:50Wow.
0:42:57 > 0:42:58Whoa.
0:43:00 > 0:43:02This is... Look at it, it's beautiful.
0:43:04 > 0:43:07It's all about family time. This is the area, the relaxing area, the family place.
0:43:09 > 0:43:11Wow, it's brilliant. Wow, thank you.
0:43:13 > 0:43:15Oh, man. Look at it!
0:43:16 > 0:43:18This is just... This is amazing.
0:43:18 > 0:43:20Come through and have a look around.
0:43:20 > 0:43:22This is your new family living room.
0:43:22 > 0:43:23Oh.
0:43:23 > 0:43:25Storage, plenty of places to sit,
0:43:25 > 0:43:27nice big chair for you to take the weight off.
0:43:27 > 0:43:29And actually as we go around the house,
0:43:29 > 0:43:31you'll see a lot more of this - somewhere to take the weight off.
0:43:31 > 0:43:35- The other really important thing, though, for you is cooking, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:43:40 > 0:43:42SIMON LAUGHS
0:43:43 > 0:43:45Wow!
0:43:52 > 0:43:55It's like... Wow! This is... Yes, man!
0:43:55 > 0:43:57This is brilliant!
0:43:57 > 0:43:59- Copper-top table.- Oh.
0:43:59 > 0:44:02Captain's chair at the end and it's got wheels on it,
0:44:02 > 0:44:05so if you're cooking and you want to stand that's fine,
0:44:05 > 0:44:06but I know with your leg and the prosthetic,
0:44:06 > 0:44:08- every now and then it gets too much.- Yeah.
0:44:08 > 0:44:12What you can do is go over there... Come here, you're going to love this. Come over here.
0:44:12 > 0:44:14So what you do is you take...
0:44:15 > 0:44:17- ..the cooker down.- Look at that!
0:44:17 > 0:44:18But if you want to do it standing...
0:44:20 > 0:44:22..you take the cooker up.
0:44:22 > 0:44:25- No way!- Yeah.- That is ama...
0:44:25 > 0:44:27Wow, I've never seen anything like that before!
0:44:27 > 0:44:30So, basically, when you get tired of standing up,
0:44:30 > 0:44:32you can actually do your cooking sitting down.
0:44:32 > 0:44:35This is more than what I expected.
0:44:35 > 0:44:39This is... Oh, again, come here.
0:44:39 > 0:44:40This is amazing!
0:44:40 > 0:44:42It's absolutely brilliant.
0:44:42 > 0:44:44It is kind of beautiful, isn't it?
0:44:44 > 0:44:47This is the type of home I've always wanted,
0:44:47 > 0:44:49and for yous to do this for me is...
0:44:51 > 0:44:54You know, you've made my dream come true.
0:44:54 > 0:44:58And I can't wait to see the kids again, we're going to love this.
0:45:00 > 0:45:01Thank you very much.
0:45:01 > 0:45:04Oh, mate, it's not me, it's the huge number of people
0:45:04 > 0:45:06who've turned up from all over the country
0:45:06 > 0:45:08to do this and build the whole road,
0:45:08 > 0:45:11and you're the last piece in the jigsaw as far as they're concerned,
0:45:11 > 0:45:14to actually make this community come together.
0:45:14 > 0:45:16But that only works if your family works.
0:45:16 > 0:45:19So you just needed a space where you can make that happen,
0:45:19 > 0:45:21where you're not climbing all over each other.
0:45:23 > 0:45:25So that's what the guys here wanted to give you,
0:45:25 > 0:45:29they didn't do it for a thank you, they did it so you could
0:45:29 > 0:45:31start to go back in the direction you needed to go.
0:45:31 > 0:45:34- Yeah.- Build that family time.
0:45:34 > 0:45:37We're going to be... We'll be a happier family now.
0:45:37 > 0:45:42We've got all this to enjoy together and, um...
0:45:42 > 0:45:45There's another room over there, I'll just show you that.
0:45:45 > 0:45:48Let's go, let's go and have a look at the rooms.
0:45:49 > 0:45:51Downstairs loo, really important.
0:45:51 > 0:45:54Yes, when I take my leg off sometimes and it's...
0:45:54 > 0:45:56You know, having to put it on and go up the stairs,
0:45:56 > 0:45:59you know, a downstairs loo is essential.
0:45:59 > 0:46:00Yeah.
0:46:02 > 0:46:05You've only seen half of it, do you want to have a look upstairs?
0:46:08 > 0:46:10- Wow! - SIMON LAUGHS
0:46:10 > 0:46:11This is brilliant.
0:46:11 > 0:46:14I wanted a room like this when I was growing up.
0:46:15 > 0:46:17Wow.
0:46:18 > 0:46:21I might actually come and stay in this room instead of the kids.
0:46:21 > 0:46:23They can go into mine.
0:46:23 > 0:46:26Well, wait till you've seen yours before you make that decision.
0:46:26 > 0:46:27- I can't wait.- Happy with it?
0:46:27 > 0:46:30I can't wait to see their faces, they're going to love it so much.
0:46:30 > 0:46:32So that's the boys done. Who else do we need to look after?
0:46:32 > 0:46:34Lilly-Anne.
0:46:34 > 0:46:36Right, let's go and have a look, come on.
0:46:37 > 0:46:38This is Lilly's room.
0:46:38 > 0:46:41- Oh, my God! - SIMON LAUGHS
0:46:43 > 0:46:44Oh, wow!
0:46:44 > 0:46:46Bless, she's going to love it!
0:46:47 > 0:46:49Oh, look at the bed.
0:46:49 > 0:46:51- Yeah.- It's all tucked away.
0:46:51 > 0:46:53Oh, may I?
0:46:53 > 0:46:54Yeah.
0:46:54 > 0:46:56You don't have to keep asking me permission
0:46:56 > 0:46:58to sit down on places, it's yours.
0:46:58 > 0:47:01It's just force of habit, force.
0:47:01 > 0:47:04Oh, she's going to absolutely love this.
0:47:06 > 0:47:08Come here, thank you very much.
0:47:11 > 0:47:15Wow. She's going to... As long...
0:47:15 > 0:47:16It's mainly for the kids, you know?
0:47:16 > 0:47:18I want to see them happy
0:47:18 > 0:47:24and be able to come and bring their friends to stay over, sleepovers.
0:47:24 > 0:47:26Even though it will kill me having sleepovers -
0:47:26 > 0:47:28that many children -
0:47:28 > 0:47:31they can finally have a home to be proud of,
0:47:31 > 0:47:34to say, "Come to mine, come and have dinner at mine."
0:47:35 > 0:47:37And that's all I want,
0:47:37 > 0:47:41for my children to be happy and to enjoy their home.
0:47:41 > 0:47:44But it's not just about the children.
0:47:44 > 0:47:45Your room.
0:47:47 > 0:47:49SIMON LAUGHS
0:47:51 > 0:47:52Oh, wow.
0:47:54 > 0:47:57This is beautiful, Nick, this is really beautiful.
0:47:57 > 0:47:59Still want to swap with the boys?
0:47:59 > 0:48:01No. They can have their room now.
0:48:01 > 0:48:03SIMON LAUGHS
0:48:03 > 0:48:06The idea of the four-poster is not just because it's a four-poster,
0:48:06 > 0:48:08it means that when you come in the room,
0:48:08 > 0:48:11should you not have the leg or whatever,
0:48:11 > 0:48:13or when you take the leg off,
0:48:13 > 0:48:15you've got something to hold on to, so you sit down.
0:48:15 > 0:48:18And the same thing in the morning, when you get up in the morning,
0:48:18 > 0:48:19you can actually swing yourself round
0:48:19 > 0:48:23and you've got something to hold on to, to get yourself up.
0:48:23 > 0:48:24Tried to think of everything every way around
0:48:24 > 0:48:28to make sure that you've got seating opportunities everywhere.
0:48:28 > 0:48:30The plan is that whenever you feel that you need to,
0:48:30 > 0:48:33without having to make a big deal of it - "I'm sorry, kids, I can't do this,
0:48:33 > 0:48:35"I can't go in there, just leave me, I'll stay here."
0:48:35 > 0:48:37There's always something there for a bit of aid.
0:48:37 > 0:48:39Always somewhere where you can sit down and take the weight off.
0:48:39 > 0:48:41And nowhere more than in the bathroom,
0:48:41 > 0:48:43with Gabby's cantilevered bench.
0:48:48 > 0:48:51- This is a little bit important, isn't it?- This is cool. I like this.
0:48:51 > 0:48:54I like this. And look at the size of the bathtub.
0:48:54 > 0:48:55When you actually bath the kids,
0:48:55 > 0:48:57what we've done is we've brought a bench in,
0:48:57 > 0:49:00so that you can pull a bench over and you can sit with them
0:49:00 > 0:49:01- so you're not having to stand. - Oh, yes.
0:49:01 > 0:49:04You can sit with them comfortably, not having to stand on that leg,
0:49:04 > 0:49:06that painful leg all the time,
0:49:06 > 0:49:08difficult for you to sit down on the floor with it.
0:49:08 > 0:49:10But you can actually come here and sit next to them and be with them,
0:49:10 > 0:49:12put this next to the bath.
0:49:12 > 0:49:15The other thing important for us was for you, for when you shower,
0:49:15 > 0:49:18- cos, of course, when you shower, you actually have to take the prosthetic off.- Yeah.
0:49:18 > 0:49:21- And then you're on a slippery surface...- Yeah, that's right. - ..on the one foot.
0:49:21 > 0:49:25What you do is - go and sit over in the corner.
0:49:25 > 0:49:29So you sit down, take the prosthetic leg off.
0:49:29 > 0:49:31- And slide along. - Slide yourself along.
0:49:31 > 0:49:33Stand if you want to, shower, you've got somewhere to sit,
0:49:33 > 0:49:36slide yourself back over, dry in the dry area...
0:49:36 > 0:49:38- This is...- ..leg back on.
0:49:38 > 0:49:40Nick, this is amazing.
0:49:40 > 0:49:42- The handles there as well. - Yeah.- In case.
0:49:44 > 0:49:46That's right, handle to help you there.
0:49:46 > 0:49:47And push away.
0:49:47 > 0:49:50- The towel rail is actually a grab handle as well.- OK.
0:49:50 > 0:49:52It's made solid so you can stand up and get there.
0:49:52 > 0:49:54And the same, you've got one over by the bath
0:49:54 > 0:49:55so that if you're leaning over with the kids
0:49:55 > 0:49:58and you start to feel unbalanced you can go for that one as well.
0:49:58 > 0:50:01They've all been built solidly into the wall so they won't come off,
0:50:01 > 0:50:03you can use them as handrails.
0:50:03 > 0:50:05When I use the shower, it made me feel...
0:50:08 > 0:50:10..incapable.
0:50:10 > 0:50:14You know, and so just to have this, you know,
0:50:14 > 0:50:17I can still feel capable and just getting in the shower,
0:50:17 > 0:50:19and even not that far from the bath either.
0:50:20 > 0:50:23But it's in the garden where we've given Simon the tools
0:50:23 > 0:50:26to push his capabilities even further.
0:50:27 > 0:50:29Wow!
0:50:32 > 0:50:35You realised you said that a lot when you walked into rooms.
0:50:35 > 0:50:37- NICK LAUGHS - Because I'm...
0:50:38 > 0:50:40I'm...
0:50:40 > 0:50:42..breath taken.
0:50:42 > 0:50:44Cos I remember what this looked like.
0:50:44 > 0:50:47- When you came out here and met the builders.- Yeah.
0:50:47 > 0:50:51- SIMON LAUGHS - This is amazing!
0:50:51 > 0:50:52Absolutely amazing.
0:50:52 > 0:50:54- Plainly fitness was the key.- Yeah.
0:50:54 > 0:50:57We wanted a garden where you could be active, the kids could be active.
0:50:57 > 0:51:00Sorry to interrupt, what's that?
0:51:00 > 0:51:03Ah, very good point. Do you want to go and have a look? Have a wander over there.
0:51:03 > 0:51:04Oh, right!
0:51:04 > 0:51:07I know, it's like a cycling machine but with your arms.
0:51:07 > 0:51:09Very good. Sit yourself down.
0:51:09 > 0:51:12- Didn't, um... - See how many watts you can power up.
0:51:12 > 0:51:15I'm in a blazer here.
0:51:15 > 0:51:16OK.
0:51:18 > 0:51:21- Oh, no way! - SIMON LAUGHS
0:51:21 > 0:51:23That's so cool.
0:51:26 > 0:51:28Oh, wow, that's brilliant!
0:51:28 > 0:51:31Monkey bars on the other side there, basically you can run fitness classes here.
0:51:31 > 0:51:33- Yeah, I can, from home.- Mm.
0:51:37 > 0:51:39I'm literally... I am literally lost for words now.
0:51:39 > 0:51:42Look what yous have done to this place.
0:51:42 > 0:51:46You've made it a home, made a home for me and my children.
0:51:46 > 0:51:48Right. Shall we show the family?
0:51:48 > 0:51:50Let's do that, let's see their faces.
0:51:53 > 0:51:55Open.
0:51:55 > 0:51:57KOBI GASPS
0:51:57 > 0:51:59My bed!
0:51:59 > 0:52:01- What did you do with my bed? - Which one's yours?
0:52:01 > 0:52:05- Which one do you want? - I think I want...
0:52:05 > 0:52:06- KOBI GASPS - My new car!
0:52:06 > 0:52:09That's brilliant. What do you think of your room?
0:52:09 > 0:52:12- Choo-choo!- I like all that and I like Dam's bed.
0:52:12 > 0:52:14- Like it, Dam-Dam?- Yeah!
0:52:16 > 0:52:18- This is your room! - SHE LAUGHS
0:52:18 > 0:52:20SIMON LAUGHS
0:52:20 > 0:52:24- And that frilly dress. - Frilly, yes. A tutu.
0:52:24 > 0:52:25Look at where your bed is.
0:52:25 > 0:52:27- Do you like it?- Yeah!
0:52:27 > 0:52:29Want to lie in it? Jump in it!
0:52:31 > 0:52:33- Isn't that cool?- Yeah!
0:52:33 > 0:52:35Come here, give me a cuddle.
0:52:35 > 0:52:38- Thanks, Dad!- It wasn't me.
0:52:38 > 0:52:40We've got to thank the people later.
0:52:40 > 0:52:42- Yeah!- Yeah.- Ready?
0:52:42 > 0:52:44- He's gone.- Go.- Go, go, go. - Look at him.
0:52:44 > 0:52:47- Look at him!- Go, go, go!
0:52:47 > 0:52:48- Kick!- Wow.
0:52:50 > 0:52:52One hand.
0:52:52 > 0:52:53Go.
0:52:54 > 0:52:56What do you reckon?
0:52:56 > 0:52:59I can't, I can't describe how happy I am.
0:52:59 > 0:53:02I'm actually almost tearful, I've got a big lump in my throat.
0:53:02 > 0:53:06It's a great fresh start for him, a great new life.
0:53:06 > 0:53:09I think the children are going to be so happy here as well,
0:53:09 > 0:53:11and there's so many great kids on the street,
0:53:11 > 0:53:13I think it's just wow.
0:53:13 > 0:53:15- You know what we're going to do now? - What?
0:53:15 > 0:53:17We're going to thank the people
0:53:17 > 0:53:20for making this house possible for us, for us to live in,
0:53:20 > 0:53:23and then I'm going to let you run wild on them
0:53:23 > 0:53:26and give them big hugs and kisses and say thank you, yeah?
0:53:26 > 0:53:29- Yeah!- Cool. Let's go then. - Let's go. Come on.
0:53:33 > 0:53:36CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:53:47 > 0:53:50Look at all these people.
0:53:50 > 0:53:54I'd like to say, you know, on behalf of me and my children,
0:53:54 > 0:53:58you've turned this house into a dream house for me and my kids.
0:53:58 > 0:54:01I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.
0:54:01 > 0:54:04Yous don't know me and I don't know you.
0:54:04 > 0:54:07For yous to volunteer and do all this
0:54:07 > 0:54:09for me and my children is amazing.
0:54:09 > 0:54:11Um, I never...
0:54:13 > 0:54:16I never thought that there was that many people out there
0:54:16 > 0:54:17who was willing to do stuff
0:54:17 > 0:54:20for people like myself and other veterans.
0:54:20 > 0:54:21Thank you very much. I love you.
0:54:21 > 0:54:24APPLAUSE
0:54:25 > 0:54:28- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:54:28 > 0:54:30Thank you, Dave. Thank you!
0:54:32 > 0:54:35OK, John, a year ago you were walking out the front of your house
0:54:35 > 0:54:37and talking to people in the same way,
0:54:37 > 0:54:40and as you were stood here, I saw you getting emotional.
0:54:40 > 0:54:41Is it cos it was bringing back memories,
0:54:41 > 0:54:46- or you knew what he was going to do or...?- Yeah, I just, oh...
0:54:46 > 0:54:48I'm proper struggling.
0:54:48 > 0:54:50But, no, it's just like...
0:54:50 > 0:54:52Knowing everything that Simon's going through today,
0:54:52 > 0:54:55I felt really, really happy for him.
0:54:55 > 0:54:58It helped change my life around
0:54:58 > 0:55:00and now it's going to change his life around.
0:55:00 > 0:55:02He can build this community.
0:55:02 > 0:55:05- Is it working, the street? - Yeah, yeah, definitely.
0:55:05 > 0:55:07My door is open for you any time, kids,
0:55:07 > 0:55:09you want to go and mess around, just bring them to us.
0:55:09 > 0:55:11I'll send them your way as soon as I can.
0:55:11 > 0:55:12LAUGHTER
0:55:12 > 0:55:15Last year the people that were here, you know that it was hard,
0:55:15 > 0:55:18it was really, really tough what we took on last year,
0:55:18 > 0:55:21but everybody that I've spoken to this week
0:55:21 > 0:55:23is telling us that it's working, and not only that,
0:55:23 > 0:55:26but it's actually branching out across the country.
0:55:26 > 0:55:28Help For Heroes are helping here, they're doing amazing things
0:55:28 > 0:55:30and we know that other parts of the country are doing it
0:55:30 > 0:55:33and other parts of the country are looking at it.
0:55:33 > 0:55:36And by coming in and joining in, not only have you built the homes in the street,
0:55:36 > 0:55:38you've built awareness for people around the country,
0:55:38 > 0:55:40so they have a better idea of what's going on.
0:55:40 > 0:55:43You've done that yourselves. It's actually all of you that have made that happen.
0:55:43 > 0:55:47This week, rather than it being a tough build like it very often is,
0:55:47 > 0:55:49this week has felt like a celebration, hasn't it?
0:55:49 > 0:55:53It's felt like people, friends, coming back together and really having an amazing time.
0:55:53 > 0:55:56We're really, really proud to work with you, so thank you very much.
0:56:03 > 0:56:06This is Lilly, this is Damaso, and this is Kobi.
0:56:06 > 0:56:08Hello, you all right, sweethearts?
0:56:10 > 0:56:13Our veterans don't want charity, what they want an opportunity.
0:56:13 > 0:56:16A year ago, we set out on a project to build not just homes,
0:56:16 > 0:56:20not even a whole street, it was actually to build a community,
0:56:20 > 0:56:23and it's here and it's working, and how do I know it is?
0:56:23 > 0:56:26Because I see people with two cups of teas, going knocking on the door,
0:56:26 > 0:56:30having a brew in the street, seeing the kids riding around on bicycles, kicking a football around.
0:56:30 > 0:56:31This is how it was 100 years ago.
0:56:31 > 0:56:33These people did that.
0:56:33 > 0:56:36You know, I've said it before and I'll say it again.
0:56:36 > 0:56:41You can't help everybody, but everybody can help someone.
0:56:41 > 0:56:42Isn't it fantastic?