Hospice’s DIY SOS Big Build set to air this week

A programme showing how the DIY SOS Big Build team completed a brand-new building at Treetops Hospice is set to air this week.

Back in September, teams from DIY SOS and Radio 2, accompanied by an army of local tradespeople, completed the building at the Risley end-of-life hospice, which will be used to deliver support and counselling to bereaved children and families.

The special build was carried out as part BBC Children in Need.

Now, to coincide with BBC Children in Need Week, a programme telling the story of the build – DIY SOS Big Build for BBC Children in Need 2023 – will air on BBC One on Thursday at 9pm.

The project saw presenter Nick Knowles and his trusty team of Chris, Billy and designer Gabrielle Blackman join BBC Radio 2 presenters, including Richie Anderson, Zoe Ball, Rev Kate Bottley, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Scott Mills, Jeremy Vine and Owain Wyn Evans come together to help make a difference.

Joined by an army of volunteers, they created Treetops’ new building in just 10 days.

The purpose-built centre features counselling rooms and a bespoke communal area. This will help provide crucial support to children and their families facing bereavement.

BBC Children in Need has supported the hospice since 2010. Its funding has provided counselling to hundreds of bereaved children and families during that time.

Speaking about the Treetops build, Nick Knowles said: “The generosity and passion of the local community and beyond really got us through.

“Seeing the faces of the Treetops team when the new building was revealed was a really special moment.

“Everyone has put so much hard work into this build, giving up their own time to accomplish this brilliant new building for Treetops Hospice – providing a safe, comforting space for families at a time when they need it most. A huge thank you to everyone involved.”

Jules Kirk, therapeutic services manager at Treetops, said: “Seeing our incredible new building for the first time was something we won’t ever forget.

“We cannot put into words the difference that it will make to the children and families we support.

“The generosity shown over the build means there are far too many people to thank.

“On behalf of everyone here at Treetops, I would like to express an enormous thank you to the countless people that made this possible.”

The episode will be broadcast on Thursday 16 November at 9pm on BBC1 and will also be available on BBC iPlayer.

A virtual tour of the new building will be available here https://www.treetopshospice.org.uk/diy-sos/ once the show has aired.