BBC’s DIY SOS team joined by Royal Brothers

PRINCES William and Harry joined BBC DIY SOS team to help builders and hundreds of volunteers transform properties into liveable homes for ex-servicemen and women in Newton Heath, Manchester.

The ambitious project will see eight buildings being renovated and 62 house facades rejuvenated on the street in Manchester. The project has put plans into place for a support centre to be built on the street which will be run by the Walking With The Wounded charity and the Royal British Legion. The centre has been created to assist ex-servicemen and women with retraining and on-site support for those who have been injured – mentally or physically – while in the Armed Forces.

Both Prince William and Prince Harry have strong connections to the Armed Forces and have worked in varied roles for the military. They arrived in style with their personalised hard hats, steel toed boots and fluorescent jackets, ready to get the show on the road.

Unsurprisingly, competition sparked between the two brothers. After being briefed about their jobs on site, William raised an eyebrow at his younger brother and said challengingly: ‘Game on.’

Prince William demonstrated his inner creativity as he painted a kitchen, whilst Prince Harry was instructed to help lay garden paving stones.

Resident, John Wilkinson 58, who has lived in Canada Street for 28 years, reported that the DIY project had stopped his home from being demolished.

John went on to state that, “Hopefully this is the catalyst across the country to do something for all our soldiers and families. There is no reason for our soldiers to be living on the streets, they can come and form a nice community here.”

The 12 day project which was launched Monday September 14 is to be completed by Friday September 25. The DIY crews are already 10 days into the project and are working as a team to get it finished on time.