Goodlight At DIY SOS: ‘The Big Build’ – Veterans Special
In June 2015, the biggest DIY SOS build commenced in Canada and New Street, Manchester – the complete transformation of 62 houses into accommodation for military veterans. The rejuvenation of these empty properties will provide mixed tenure accommodation for disabled and non-disabled veterans. Walking With The Wounded Charity will also provide the veterans with a training facility, offering employment opportunities, rebuilding of lives and the return to the workplace. This unique opportunity will not only build a community but also, strengthen the Manchester community.
Nick Knowles and the DIY SOS Team have been inundated with generous, goodwill offers from businesses, charities and members of the public – offering products, help and services to complete this ambitious project. We were delighted when we were approached by the DIY SOS Team to donate hundreds of Goodlight LED lighting products for the veterans homes, including spotlights and floodlights.
On Wednesday 23rd September, His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, and His Royal Highness Prince Harry, visited Canada Street and gave a Royal helping hand to the DIY SOS Team. A commemorative plaque of the Princes’ visit to Canada Street has been unveiled – in celebration of the renovated veterans homes and support centre.
The Goodlight Team visited Canada Street on Monday 28th September for the Big Reveal Day where they revealed the new homes to the veterans and their families. We met the DIY SOS Team including Nick Knowles, Billy Byrne, Mark Millar, Chris Frediani and Julian Perryman. We met up with the DIY SOS Interior Designer who stated that “the lighting looks lovely” and thanked us for our generous donation towards this wonderful project.
The BBC DIY SOS Team want to portray in their 2-part programme, to be aired in October 2015, that veterans can be affected by war in different ways – not just visually. We met veterans, Lamie, who lost three limbs fighting at war, and another veteran suffering from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) – it was an extremely emotional day. Lamie thanked the DIY SOS Team for helping him to rebuild his life – later that afternoon, Nick Knowles mentioned on Twitter – “He thanked us. We should thank him, every day.”
As part of an on-going partnership, The Haig Housing Trust and Walking With The Wounded Charity will offer their continued help to the veterans, after the show has been aired, to ensure that they receive all the support they need.
The team at DIY SOS have done a phenomenal job of transforming a once derelict street into a completely transformed, liveable street for our war veterans. The support and kindness shown to the whole team from the public, tradesmen and suppliers has been outstanding. We are so pleased to be supporting our veterans and look forward to watching the whole story of the Big Build in October.
See the DIY SOS: The Big Build – Military Veterans Special on BBC One on Wednesday 14th October and the final episode on Wednesday 21st October at 9pm.
