https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-8322791/DIY-SOS-viewers-left-sobbing-veteran-given-new-home.htmlDIY SOS viewers 'sob' as an amputee single father-of-three whose foot was blown off in Iraq moves from a cramped council house into a family home on 'veteran street' launched by Prince William and Prince Harry
Amputee war hero Simon Flores was given a new home on DIY SOS
Single father-of-three was moved into a house in a dedicated 'veterans village'
Simon had been living in a cramped property with his daughter and two sons
The touching story left viewers 'sobbing' after it was re-told last night
By Stephanie Linning For Mailonline
Published: 11:19, 15 May 2020 | Updated: 11:44, 15 May 2020
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'. 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.'
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. .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.
