Berry family ‘truly grateful’ after DIY SOS home revamp

Injured Athone firefighter Pa Berry said he and his family were "truly grateful and blessed" after the amazing transformation of their Assumption Road home was shown on RTÉ One television last Sunday evening.

Volunteers and home renovation professionals gave their time to be part of a project which saw Pa's family home being completely redeveloped over nine days for DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland, hosted by Baz Ashmawy.

The house was chosen for the redevelopment in order to assist with Pa's recovery after he was seriously injured while on duty at a house fire in Mount Temple in October 2021.

Plenty of familiar faces from the Athlone area made an appearance during the episode as it showed the impact of Pa's injuries, the total overhaul of the house, and the reaction of Pa, his partner Nicky, and their children Kai, Rainah and Nova when they got to see the end result

Speaking on Monday, Pa said he was receiving calls and positive messages for hours after the programme aired.

"The phone was 'pinging' constantly for a few hours, but we were really happy that people enjoyed it," he said.

"It was a very difficult period of my life but I'll take some very fond memories from the experience. It kind of shed a light on a very dark period."

He said he had been feeling relaxed on Sunday up until the last half-hour before the show began, which was when nerves started to kick in.

The family had not seen the episode before it went on air, but they were very pleased with the way it was made by the production company, Motive Television.

"It was very well produced and well put-together. There was a good feeling to it," said Pa.

"It's hard for us (to comment on it), because we're kind of in the middle of it, but looking in from the outside I think it would have been enjoyable for people.

"Some parts of it were emotional and some parts were funny, so it was kind of balanced in that way. The kids were chuffed to see it as well, and their friends were texting them and chatting to them about it."

Pa had started to renovate his home shortly before the accident changed his life over a year and half ago. However, the DIY SOS project, which was carried out in March 2022 was a much more ambitious undertaking.

When it was finished, the house looked completely stunning and unrecognisable from how it had been before.

There are times when it might seem as if selflessness and generosity of spirit are endangered values, but the volunteerism displayed in this project proved they can still be found in Athlone and in Ireland.

Pa's recovery from his multitude of injuries remains a work in progress, as it will be for some time. However the home renovation has given him and his family a major boost, he said.

He wished to publicly thank a number of people and organisations for their assistance with the programme and the work on site.

"I've met some truly wonderful, amazing people throughout this experience," he said.

"A big thank you to all the crew and staff at DIY SOS & Motive Television, both in front of the camera and behind it. A lot of work and planning goes into such a project.

"A big thank you to the selfless volunteers who travelled far and wide to help us - the designers, the suppliers, the tradespeople, the general public, volunteers and neighbours, businesses both local and national. I will never forget it.

"A big thank you to everyone who has reached out to us in texts, comments, phone calls, posts, letters, and fundraising, and to the media, social media and radio.

"We wouldn't have gotten here without your help. There's still have a ways to go but this has been a mega help," he concluded.