DIY SOS: The Big Build

Nick Knowles heads to Duxford in Cambridgeshire, where he enlists the help of local tradespeople to complete an extension for a couple whose son has liver cancer. The work provides the family with additional space in their home and during a difficult period.

The series Duxford is presented as a single‑episode programme that follows real‑life projects in the English countryside. Set in the historic airfield town of Duxford, Cambridgeshire, the show blends community spirit with practical building work. Each instalment highlights how ordinary people come together to tackle a specific challenge. In this particular instalment, presenter Nick Knowles travels to Duxford to lend a hand to a local family. He meets a couple who are trying to finish an extension to their home, a project that has taken on added urgency because their young son is battling liver cancer. The episode centres on that need. Knowles does not work alone; he brings a team of skilled tradespeople to the site. Together they assess the work required and set about completing the extension. The collaborative effort showcases the practical skills of the tradesmen while also providing the family with a tangible improvement to their living space. The focus remains on the family’s situation, with the building work framed as a way to support them during a difficult period. By completing the extension, the episode aims to give the couple a more suitable home environment while their son receives medical treatment. The story underscores how community projects can offer real‑world assistance.