Allium Environmental, plus dozens of local companies, tradespeople and volunteers have helped out with the BBC’s DIY SOS project at Carbis Bay, Cornwall. Presenter, Nick Knowles, has described the community spirit in the Duchy as “absolutely amazing”.
DIY SOS is a documentary programme, where a team of local builders get together to change the lives of individuals by renovating their homes for a worthwhile cause. This episode was the turn of the Smedley family who live in Carbis Bay, near St Ives in Cornwall.
For over 15 years, Lynn and Stephen Smedley have fostered 103 children, from premature babies with cerebral palsy to teenage mothers. They were about to retire when tragically, their 32-year-old daughter Carrie died unexpectedly, leaving her three children behind.
Since Carrie’s death in 2017, Lynn and Stephen have been caring for their grandchildren in their small bungalow in Carbis Bay. Space was extremely limited with brothers Ruben, Jaden and Uche sharing a triple bunk bed in one room. There is only one bathroom and Lynn has even been forced to do the washing and ironing in the shed.
The tearful Smedleys were shown the transformation for the first time on Thursday morning.
We’re not allowed to show pictures of the inside of the house until the programme airs later in the year, but a few of the Allium team involved in the asbestos survey managed to grab a picture with Nick Knowles and the DIY SOS team.
