Our Heartfelt Journey with BBC DIY SOS: A Small Step in Isla’s Big Dream
Feb, 2025
At Bybrook Furniture & Event Hire Ltd, we believe that true impact isn’t always measured in grand gestures but in the quiet, collective efforts that build something extraordinary. That’s exactly what we discovered when we had the incredible opportunity to lend a hand to the BBC’s DIY SOS team during their transformative project in Leicester. It was an experience that left us humbled, inspired, and reminded us why community comes first—especially when it’s all about giving a brave little girl the wings she needs to soar.
The Story
For those unfamiliar, DIY SOS is more than a TV show; it’s a beacon of hope that rallies everyday heroes to turn lives around through sheer grit and goodwill. This time, the spotlight was on Leicester’s Aylestone neighbourhood, where the team tackled a home renovation for eight-year-old Isla Screaton Kilpatrick. Isla is a bright, determined spark of a girl whose laughter could light up the gloomiest day.
But behind her infectious smile lies a daily battle with mandibuloacral dysplasia, a rare genetic disorder that makes her bones dangerously brittle and impacts her growth and major organs. Simple joys like playing independently or accessing her own space have been out of reach for far too long, confined by a home that couldn’t keep pace with her needs.
The DIY SOS crew, led by the ever-energetic Nick Knowles, swooped in to rewrite that story. Over five whirlwind days, an army of volunteers—tradespeople, locals, and supporters from across the Midlands—descended on Isla’s family home.
Now, here’s where we fit in—or rather, where we squeezed in among the giants. Our team didn’t swing the sledgehammers or wire the electrics. No, our role was a touch more behind-the-scenes: we built a sturdy marquee that served as the bustling catering hub for the volunteer army. Our marquee wasn’t glamorous—it was functional, weatherproof, and big enough to keep the rain at bay during those unpredictable autumn showers.
What a privilege to be apart of.
And that’s the beauty of DIY SOS. It doesn’t matter if you’re the one raising walls or just keeping everyone fed and dry—every contribution ripples outward. Our marquee meant volunteers could grab a quick break without missing a beat, staying energized to pour their all into Isla’s space. In the end, it was a tiny thread in a tapestry of kindness that helped turn Isla’s challenges into possibilities. She gets to dream bigger now: her own accessible bedroom, a garden she can navigate with ease, moments of autonomy that let her spirit shine unhindered.
Thank you
Isla’s story—and the roaring success of this Leicester project—has us reflecting on our own corner of the world. In a time when headlines often highlight division, projects like this prove the power of unity. We’ve walked away with stories to tell around the office (and a few blisters as souvenirs), but more importantly, a renewed fire to keep pitching in, big or small.
To Isla, Stacey, and the DIY SOS family: thank you for letting us be part of this. Your courage fuels ours. And to anyone reading who’s ever wondered if your help “counts”—it does. Absolutely, unequivocally. Dreams like Isla’s don’t come true in isolation; they thrive on the mosaic of hands that build them.
