SOS for volunteers to help RTE TV show adapt home for Limerick child with complex medical needs

RTÉ’s DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland will be on Shannonside next month as the TV programme undertakes a major home adaptation project in the Corbally-Westbury area for a child with complex medical needs.

Local tradespeople, volunteers and businesses are being invited to take part in the nine-day community build aimed at transforming the home of four-year-old Carter Purcell and his family.

Carter was born with a rare genetic condition, and from birth his developmental future has been uncertain. He spent the first two years of his life in and out of hospital, requiring highly specialised medical care, while his parents, Alex and Nikita, remained by his side day and night. Carter lives with his parents and his older brother AJ.

Alex is Carter’s full-time carer, while Nikita works full-time to support the family. Carter is entirely dependent on his parents for all aspects of his care. He cannot speak, sit independently, or walk, and is fed via a tube directly into his stomach. At night, he relies on a CPAP machine to maintain safe oxygen levels.

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Carter requires round-the-clock care and has a solid build for his age, weighing about 16kg and will only get bigger. All bedrooms in the family home are upstairs, meaning Carter must be carried several times a day between the bedroom, bathroom, and living area.

Given the need for ongoing physiotherapy and the bulky equipment it requires, adequate storage at home is essential. It's recommended by his occupational therapist that the house be adapted for Carter but understandably due to the large cost this has not been possible.

This is where DIY SOS: The Big Build Ireland steps in... with the public's help. Together, they can create a safe, supportive home that allows Carter to be cared for with dignity and gives him the best possible chance to develop and thrive.

The DIY SOS build at Westbury on the Limerick-Clare border will take place from Monday, March 23 to Wednesday, April 1.

Anyone who wishes to aid the project should get in contact with the DIY SOS team on 083 126 3130 or by email at diysoswestbury@indiepics.ie. They would also like to hear from any local coffee shops, restaurants, pubs or deli's that would be happy to donate to feed the volunteers across any of the nine days of the build.