A Scots family has featured in a new series of the BBC reality TV show DIY SOS, in which their home was renovated by a team of 400 volunteer workers. The Connolly family from Newton Mearns near Glasgow needed to convert their property for daughter Nell, who is confined to a wheelchair due to a condition causing curvature of the limbs and joints. Nell also requires long-term wheelchair access following a series of operations.
Celtic Park surprise for Kai
During the making of the programme, Nell's 14-year-old brother Kai and dad Raymond were given a guided tour of Celtic's ground at Parkhead, where they both have season tickets. The pair were then taken to the club trophy room, where Kai was allowed to hold up the Scottish Premiership trophy which Celtic won last season. Kai was also taken to the home dressing room, where he was presented with a Celtic top signed by the team.
Kai told presenter Nick Knowles that he has been unable to go to a game since his mum died in September last year, and spoke of the close relationship he has with his dad. Kai said: "We look after each other. I am here for him if he needs me and he's there if I need him." Kai then told Nick about his late mum, adding: "She was some person. You can't make words to say how good she was to us all."
Challenging renovation project
Viewers are told that the renovation of the Connolly home is one of the biggest challenges the DIY SOS team have encountered, because of the number of homes nearby limiting access to the property. The project also attracted one of the largest numbers of volunteers, with one of the tradesmen turning up in a high-vis kilt.
Mum Gill, who died from sepsis last September after an emergency liver transplant, was Nell's primary carer while Raymond worked as a plumber. Raymond then had to give up work to become Nell's full-time carer, and their own renovation programme, which had been started before Gill's death, was brought to a halt. It also left the house unsuitable for her mobility needs and the rest of the family.
Transformation and family gratitude
Over a period of nine days in June, Nick Knowles' DIY SOS team of 400 volunteer workers built Nell a new bedroom, wet room, walk-in wardrobe and a special hoist, as well as a new bedroom for Kai. The renovation features in the first episode of the show's new 35th series. Beforehand, Nell was sleeping in a temporary downstairs room without access to a bathroom, and the kitchen was barely usable.
In the programme, an emotional Raymond tells of his gratitude at having the family home renovated and finally made suitable for his disabled daughter's needs. He said: "It will change everything for us. It will make life so much easier."
Nick Knowles also explains why the Connolly family were chosen for the latest episode. He says: "Sometimes life seems really brutal. Raymond has had to set aside his grief to look after the kids but you can't do it in an environment like this. The whole future of their lives is dependent on getting this done."
A spokesperson for Celtic FC said: "We were delighted to welcome Raymond and Kai to Celtic Park. They, and Nell have been through so much, but the courage, determination and togetherness they have all shown after losing Gill is quite inspirational - as is the phenomenal support shown to the family by the local community. They are all so deserving of the great support they have received. We hope they are able to come back to Celtic Park for another visit very soon."
