DIY SOS approached The Great Outdoor Gym Company (TGO) to ask for a donation of a piece of outdoor gym equipment to Norris Green, a community centre very much in state of neglect. The Norris Green Youth Centre is an excellent but dilapidated youth facility based in one of the most deprived areas of Liverpool. Most commonly associated with the shooting of Rhys Jones, it is in an area of high unemployment, high crime and gang violence.

The DIY SOS team at the BBC contacted TGO as in their words, TGO equipment is ‘so robust, requires little maintenance, is vandal resistant and fits the exact specifications we are looking for.’

TGO, a home grown, London based and ethically proud company more than rose to the challenge and didn’t just donated one piece, they donated an entire outdoor gym!

Matt Delaney, Managing Director of TGO said “When we got the call from Children in Need, there was never any question as to whether we wanted to be involved and help. The question we asked ourselves was how much can we help. That is why we donated an entire gym and the full installation expertise of TGO free of charge for this great and worthwhile cause”.

TGO donated a pull up, abs bench, chest press, lat pull down, treadmill, information sign and a senior technician Newton Ford for 4 days work. Tower printing of Southwark, London donated the signs and Ace Transport of Ashford transported it to the site for free.

On the installation day our expert technician Newton Ford arrived at 7am and didn’t leave site until 9pm in the evening making sure that everything was perfect.

“The first time I pulled up I felt uneasy about leaving the vehicle. As the project developed, you could physically feel the community coming together, to take back their community centre.” Newton said.

The local fire team helped lift the equipment into position in the garden of Norris Green Community Centre, whilst Nick Knowles filmed a piece for the programme.

The project designer was so impressed by the gym that she pulled in a local artist to create a lovely backdrop for the gym featuring Pudsey Bear and a pot of honey.

Newton explained the moment it was revealed:

“When they did the reveal, the community centre team and volunteers literally screamed with delight when they saw the gym. The reveal was quite emotional for everybody. There was a big queue of people of all ages waiting to use the gym equipment.”

The original idea was to give the girls somewhere in the community somewhere to exercise. Since the project has been completed many more groups have made use of the gym including a group of pensioners. The gym and other redevelopments have now given the community a focal point. The project has put the heart back into the community.

From TGO’s point of view, it was great fun taking part in the project and even more fun giving something back.

Make sure you don’t miss DIY SOS: The big build Children in Need Special on BBC 1 9pm, Thursday 10th November 2011