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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
National
Geoffrey Bennett

Dad left in tears after DIY SOS army transforms family home

An army of volunteers braved searing temperatures to help a family.

The DIY SOS team renovated the home of Jan and Lucy Collins, who have triplets.

Two of the youngsters - Daisy and Amber - suffer from an incurable kidney disease which means they have to travel to Bristol four days a week for dialysis.

The team from the popular TV show rallied a makeshift workforce to transform the family's garage into a dialysis centre so Daisy and Amber can be treated at home.

More than 100 people worked on it for free, in a project that included presenter Nick Knowles and designer Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen.

Jan, who lives on the outskirts of Barnstaple, broke down in tears when the transformation was revealed.

He told the team: "I've never been so lost for words in all my life.

"What you guys have achieved here in just a few days is absolutely breathtaking."

Tradesmen who offered their time and expertise included scaffolders, skip companies, suppliers, carpenters, joiners, plasters, electricians, decorators, ground workers, brick layers, bathroom fitters and tilers.

Sam Raymont, of Switched On Electrical, live just a few yards away from the Collins family.

He said: "I live a stone's throw away from the customers and know Lucy and Yann well.

"It's really sad about the girls and I just wanted to help really."

The workers who braved high temperatures were well-stocked with ice creams and drinks thanks to two local food firms.

For the latest news in and around Bristol, check back on Bristol Live's homepage.

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