A FAMILY who were ‘overwhelmed’ and ‘humbled’ after 100 volunteers transformed their home will relive the ‘life-changing’ experience on national television tonight (Wednesday).

A nine-day makeover last April by BBC1 show DIY SOS made a world of difference for Monmouth couple Charlotte and Rob Fairlie and twin boys Fox and Teddy.

When Charlotte, 36, suffered a stroke just after giving birth to the twins in December 2014, doctors said she had a one per cent chance of survival.

She pulled through but was left with partial paralysis, and the cramped, cluttered rooms at the family’s Hereford Road home made it unsafe for her to move around or do her physio rehab, hampering her recovery. 

That’s when Nick Knowles and the DIY SOS: Big Build team, aided by local trades people ranging from electricians to plumbers, carpenters to plasterers, worked around the clock to transform their home.

The build, the biggest of its kind attempted by the show, added a two-storey rear extension to the family’s two bedroom house, including a physiotherapy room and en-suite wet room for Charlotte and an extra bedroom for a live-in carer.

After walking through the doors of the revamped home last year, Mr Fairlie said: “We are overwhelmed, humbled and excited. This has been so amazing. The community spirit has been beyond anything else I’ve witnessed. When we saw what the team has done we were blown away.

“This is life-changing. We can start being a family and Charlotte can have the best physio to help with her recovery.”

TV star Mr Knowles said: “When Charlotte had the stroke she was not able to bond with her babies. What we have been able to do is to build an environment where a mother can rebuild that bond. The family can now start their life.”

Charlotte and Rob had been married for two years when Charlotte developed pre-eclampsia and suffered a serious stroke after giving birth to their twins, which left her with brain damage, partial paralysis and loss of speech.

Among those helping out on the rebuild were Drybrook builders’ merchants Hale and Co, who supplied 10 bags of ballast for ground works and timber for door.

Jake Hale said: “We are often asked to support charities, but this was quite unique. We’re a close-knit community here in the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley and it was great to see everyone pulling together to help.

“Many of the builders, plumbers and plasterers on-site are also our customers. This was a real community effort.”

Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls, who this year are celebrating their 125th anniversary, provided a base for the crew and more than 1,000 meals during filming.

DIY SOS: The Big Build is on BBC 1 tonight (Wednesday, March 29) at 9pm.