A struggling family-of-six swamped in debt traded houses with a wealthy landowner who inherited thousands of acres of land in a popular TV show.
Siobhan and Andy Leckenby, from Leeds, share their three-bedroom home with Kacey-Leigh, nine, Oscar, five, and Poppy, two, and Andy’s son.
The family wracked up £20,000 in debt and now live from month to month with just over £100 a week for their family.
As part of Channel 5 show Rich House Poor House they switched homes with the wealthy Elwes family who have a large eight bedroomed home and thousands of acres of land.
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Land owner Robert Elwes, his wife Marina, an archeologist, and their eldest daughter, Emily, 28, live in a Grade II-listed eight-bedroom house in the middle of 5,000 acres in Lincolnshire.
Robert has never had to worry about money, and spends most of his time researching music in Austria, while Marina and Emily are often abroad too.
Where as the Leckenby family say they are trapped in a "circle" of trying to pay things off each month, and rarely get any time or money to spend on treats, with the couple going to KFC and the cinema for their last anniversary.
Andy, who works in a warehouse, said: “It’s hard but you’ve got to keep on going.
“I feel gutted sometimes when I’m absolutely working I'm shattered and they want a bit of attention, and sometimes there’s days when it’s hard to give it.
“If I was debt free and didn't have to think about money I'd spend a lot more time with the children because they don't stay children forever.”
Siobhan has got a system in place for shopping, knowing when to go to get the most discounted food.
The mum, who works in customer relations, said: “We’ve realised the supermarket routines, if you go around half six at night , that’s when everything is at its lowest price.
“If I don't get a yellow label I’m a bit gutted.”
After they’ve paid their bills they have just £132 a week to live on, compared to the Elwes’ £1264 - a month’s wages for the family.
In the programme both families swap homes, budgets and schedules for the week.
With their disposable income, Andy decided to treat Siobhan for her birthday and he hired a private chef for a romantic dinner in the yurt.
Despite Andy wishing he could “do more” for his family, Siobhan told him “if you’ve got family you’re rich anyway.”
But the couple take the kids to The Range, and blow nearly £400 toys with their remaining cash.
While Marina and Robert enjoy a night at the dog track and the local pub, with Marina saying she’s learnt a lot from their week.
She says: “I think Robert and Emily will have a renewed appreciation for what they have.”
The families finally meet up, with Andy telling the Elwes; “I’m the richest person in the world because of what this lady does.”
Robert added: “One of the things I’ve learnt from this is that you need to spend time together.
“I think that's one of the things which has come out of this, for us.”
Siobhan said she learned “don't judge a book by its cover”, while Marina reflected: “Money can make life easier, but happiness has nothing to do with it.”
The two families made a lasting impression on each other, with the Elwes’ offering Andy and Siobhan the use of their yurt to renew vows for their ten-year anniversary.
And they also left some cash to go towards repayments, and ensured their fridge was fully stocked.
The episode featuring the Leckenbys will air on Channel 5 on Sunday, May 2, at 9pm.
