Emotional viewers cried ‘tears of joy’ as they watched a decorated war hero move into his new home in ‘veterans street’ on last night’s DIY SOS.
Single father-of-three Simon Flores, a former Lance Corporal in the Royal Green Jackets and 3 Rifles, lost his left foot in a roadside bomb attack while on patrol during his second tour of Iraq in 2006.
At the start of the show, Simon, who had split from the mother of his children, was living in a two-bedroom council house with his two sons, Kobi, six, and Damasco, four, and five-year-old daughter, Lilly-Ann.
The property was not fit for purpose: Simon was forced to share a bed with his youngest and having the only bathroom upstairs meant he struggled to use the toilet. ‘I don’t want my kids living like this,’ he said. ‘It’s heartbreaking.’
Nick Knowles and the team helped give Simon and his family a fresh start by moving them into a spacious three-bedroom home on Canada Street, in Newton Heath, Manchester, which has been dubbed ‘veterans street’.
After: Emotional viewers cried ‘tears of joy’ as they watched a decorated war hero move into his new home in ‘veterans street’ on last night’s DIY SOS. Pictured, the new living room
Before: Simon Flores was living in a two-bedroom council house with his two sons, Kobi, six, and Damasco, four, and five-year-old daughter, Lilly-Ann. Pictured, the living room
Struggling: The property was not fit for purpose: Simon was forced to share a bed with his youngest and having the only bathroom upstairs meant he struggled to use the toilet. ‘I don’t want my kids living like this,’ he said. ‘It’s heartbreaking.’ Pictured, Simon on the show
Fresh start: Simon’s sons, Kobi, six, and Damasco, four, and five-year-old daughter, Lilly-Ann
Last night’s episode, which first aired in November 2017, left viewers feeling emotional
Prince Harry and Prince William were on hand to launch the project with the DIY SOS team in 2015. Since then more than a dozen military families have been housed there.
Last night’s episode, which first aired in November 2017, left viewers at home ‘sobbing’.
One tweeted: ‘Nothing makes you believe in humankind more than #diysos it just shows what people can do when they come together and that home was so lovely for such a deserving man. Seeing how happy he was … just.’
Another wrote: ‘Wow! #DIYSOS was so emotional tonight! I’ve cried all the way through! What @MrNickKnowles and his team have achieved is incredible! Brilliant take away message ‘We can’t help everybody, but everybody can help somebody’. #military #vetrans.’
Royal approval: Simon was moved into a street dubbed ‘veterans village’ Prince Harry and Prince William were on hand to launch the project with the DIY SOS team in 2015, pictured
Viewers praised the work done for Simon and his family, hailing the new home ‘amazing’
A third added: ‘That was great. Best of luck Simon and kids #DIYSOS.’
Simon and his children were the last residents to be moved onto veterans street as part of the ambitious multi-year project – and the family was delighted with the results.
Two derelict homes were combined and renovated in a matter of days to create a welcoming family home.
The living room was bright and spacious, unlike their previous home, and gave Simon somewhere to unwind after a busy day looking after the children.
Council house: Simon and his three children lived in this two-bedroom property
Cramped: Simon, a passionate home cook, struggled with the kitchen in his council house
Spacious: In the new property, Simon had plenty of space to whip up meals for the children
Hero: Simon lost his leg while on active duty in Iraq in 2006 (right in uniform). Pictured left, Simon’s children put their hands up to volunteer to help take off his prosthetic leg
Twice the fun! Simon’s sons were given their own vibrant bedroom as part of the makeover
Personal oasis: Simon, who used to share with his youngest, was given his own bedroom
There was also a downstairs bathroom with a walk-in shower, making it easier for Simon
There was also a downstairs bathroom with a walk-in shower, making it easier for Simon, and a large kitchen where he could indulge his love of cooking.
His sons were given a vibrant bedroom to share while daughter Lilly-Ann was given a pink bedroom fit for a princess.
Outside the garden was transformed into a space with ‘zones’ for play and rehabilitation.
Speaking on the show, Simon explained one of the biggest benefits was being around other veterans with whom he felt he could be open about his experiences.