Life-changing DIY SOS home revamp for child with rare illness

“It’s overwhelming to think that people would come together, not for money or recognition, but simply out of the kindness of their hearts — giving their time and skills to change our lives,” says Stacey.

Her family home in Aylestone, Leicester, has been transformed beyond recognition in a project led by the BBC One show DIY SOS.

The makeover, revealed in the programme’s new series on Friday evening, has been life-changing for her eight-year-old daughter, Isla.

Isla was born with a rare genetic disorder, mandibuloacral dysplasia, which makes her bones dangerously brittle and causes her major organs to age prematurely, leaving her struggling with mobility and independence.

The DIY SOS team said it received more than 2,000 volunteer applications to help renovate family’s semi-detached home — a near record-breaking figure for the show.

About 160 volunteers embarked on lowering switches and door handles to make them accessible to Isla, and also created a downstairs bathroom.

Stacey said: “It really hit when we stepped out on to the front of the house to wish everyone good luck just before the build.

“‘Thank you was never going to be enough. It never has.

“We appreciate every single thing, and they didn’t just help make a house accessible for Isla — they have changed every single one of our lives.”

Stacey described being on DIY SOS as “exciting, stressful, daunting” and an experience “we will all treasure”.

She said she was “struggling” before the transformation, but when it was confirmed her house would be on the show, she and her two daughters “burst into tears”.

“It was such a relief. It just felt like a weight was lifted,” Stacey added.

She said she “absolutely loves” her renovated house, as it does “everything and more that we asked for”.

Stacey said it was “emotional” to see Isla now able to reach light switches, door handles and bannisters, which are now at a comfortable height for her, meaning she can walk up the stairs, rather than crawl.

When asked what she thought of the transformation, Isla said: “I love it. I can get around the house more easily.”

Nichola Chippendale, who had not known the family for long but nominated them for the show, said there were “massive mixed emotions for us all” when the DIY SOS team agreed to the renovation.

“Stacey’s really humble about everything and the girls are her world,” she said.

“She was struggling with things and on a daily basis. Stacey’s life was ‘what am I going to do? How am I going to sort this house out to what I need it to be with the girls?’

“Isla’s biggest smile was the first thing that hit me. She’s so happy-go-lucky and such a lovely lovely little girl.”

Mrs Chippendale, who also volunteered to help with the rebuild with her husband, said there was “organised chaos” and everybody involved did an “amazing job”.

“There was such good camaraderie with everybody,” she said.

“You’ve got plasterers and electricians all working in the same room at the same time and you’re under each other’s feet, but everybody has fun.

She added seeing the final build “just took me away”, adding: “It’s amazing and it’s just perfect for everybody.”

Ian Hodgkinson, DIY SOS project manager, said the project was not only a heart-warming story, but also a celebration of the collaborative work of the construction trades that pushed the limits of what was possible in eight days.

“It’s difficult to put it into words,” he said. “It was unbelievable.

“The response was absolutely phenomenal. Within the first couple of days there were 800 emails, within a week there were 2,000, and it kept on going.”

“250 people somehow came together and created a little miracle,” he added.

Nick Knowles, DIY SOS presenter, said he was so excited that the show was back on TV.

“I think it will remind people how many good, generous people there are across the country willing to help out others in their time of need,” he added.