A heroic police officer left paralysed by the London terror attack in Westminster has been able to move back to his family home after DIY SOS rallied together more volunteers to help with house renovations than ever before.
Brave PC Kris Aves was left in a wheelchair with no mobility below his waist after the atrocity in central London last March when a car was driven into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge, killing five and injuring over 50.
The 35-year-old spent eight days in a coma and seven months recovering at Stoke Mandeville Hospital for his life-changing injuries which included broken legs, injuries to his head, chest and damage to his spinal cord.
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Unable to return home to partner Marissa Cooney and their two children Tom, six, and Aoife, four, in north London because of his wheelchair, Kris was overwhelmed with emotion as presenter Nick Knowles revealed the extensive work – including a lift, widened doorways, the installation of a ground floor bathroom and a swirling ramp staircase for the back garden – made to the family’s house.
Wiping away tears as he thanked dozens of the builders, electricians and joiners who came together to help make the refurbishment plans a reality in just nine days, Kris described his new home as “out of this world.”
He added: “It’s allowed me to come home to my family.”
Earlier, Kris spoke about his concerns his children were missing out as he recovered in hospital 40 miles away.
“I’m worried about getting daddy time back,” he said.
“It’s just been taken away from you, and it’s not fair.
“I need to rebuild a relationship with my family. It’s been too long.”
Nick revealed the “huge” response from volunteers was three times larger than usual for the show, with 900 people offering to lend a hand.
“There were so many we had to turn many of them away.
“In the end about 300 tradespeople worked for nine days without pay so Kris could again spend daddy time with his children,” he told The Sun.
Nick continued: “In his job Kris looked after us and kept us safe and so many kind-hearted people wanted to repay the favour.”
However, many viewers were furious DIY SOS was helping make life better for Kris and his family rather than the Government.
Thanks Nick and all the team. Excellent support for emergency services and veterans. Shame the Government aren’t helping. #DIYSOS
— John (@jvwalsh51) March 7, 2018
Why the hell are #DIYSOS having to alter the house for the Officer injured outside the houses of parliament. Shouldn’t @theresa_may and @MayorofLondon have sorted this straight away?
— James (@JamesKitesurf) March 7, 2018
Unbelievable #DIYSOS tonight. This guy and his family’s life completely changed by a horrific event. Can’t help but think the government should do more for Police and any other Service personnel that get injured on duty.
— John (@john2horn) March 7, 2018
#DIYSOS has me in tears 😭 this is something the government should of sorted out. Shame on you! Hope you enjoy your house Kris 👮♂️ #WeStandTogether
— @Louise (@Louise_SWL) March 7, 2018
Wonderful episode tonight of #DIYSOS but without them would he ever have got home? Shouldn’t the government have assisted the family given he was a serving police officer when he was so gravely injured? Thank goodness for #communityspirit
— Anna Walsh (@A1annaWalsh) March 7, 2018
I don’t understand Our Government There should be ashamed. He protected us from evil. So why haven’t you helped him?
#DIYSOS #FeelSick #Wasteofspace— Sam (@Sam_Moir) March 7, 2018
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DIY SOS is on BBC One, Wednesdays at 8pm.
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