DIY SOS arrive in West Bromwich to help family devastated by cancer death
A family whose lives were devastated after their mother unexpectedly died of terminal cancer are set to have their home transformed by the BBC's DIY SOS team.
The family, which includes Deago, aged 9, and Ameira, aged 3, of West Bromwich, were totally distraught when their mother, Crystal Chambers, aged 32, was given only two days to live in September 2015.
Crystal had visited her GP and hospital on several occasions over two years but was only diagnosed with terminal cancer in September 2015, when doctors said she only had two days to live.
Tragically, the mother of two died on October 14 2015.
As Crystal did not have any life insurance, or own her own house, her children were left homeless.
Crystal’s grieving mother, Sandra, aged 51, therefore took the children under her wings and into her home.
Sandra, who has dedicated her entire life to working with families in crisis, lives in a tiny two bedroom house with her 19 -year-old son, Crystal’s brother, student Ziggy, who is a basketball coach.
Sandra, Deago and Ameira currently share one small bedroom, with a double bed, a camp bed and a toddler bed squeezed at the side.
The DIY SOS team has now revealed it is to work with local traders and volunteers from the community to give the family home a much needed transformation - though the details of this must be kept under wraps until the big reveal.
Building manager at the site, TV's Mark Millar, said: "Logistically this is quite challenging as its such a tiny house. But that, of course, is why we're here and why its important that we do the work that we do.
"The family need space, particularly the children, space they can call their own and grow and develop into and that's particularly vital when you're grieving for the loss of a loved one.
"The outpouring of support from the local community has been fantastic. Hundreds of people have signed up to help and that's really what DIY SOS is about - the community coming together to help each other.
"The challenge for me is getting them to all fit in the building!"
Work is due to start at the home on July 18 and and will take around nine days to complete.
Yesterday, traders and volunteers from across the nearby area visited the house to pledge their support and services.
Sean Cannell, painter and decorator for brushmasters based in Walsall said: "I can't wait to get started.
"My wife spotted an appeal out on Facebook to help and when I saw it I signed straight up.
"We've helped out with a lot of charity builds over the years and I think something like this is truly special. I'm counting down the days until I can start."
The family know about the work taking place, but not what the changes to their home will involve. Sandra has arranged accommodation for the family for the duration of the build.
It is not yet known when the episode of the show will be aired.
Anyone wishing to help the build can email DIYSOSWestBrom@bbc.co.uk
