Couple Turns Barn into Serene Retreat for Ill Friends After Beating Brain Tumors

In September 2025, a remarkable couple from Kent, England, Greg and Georgie, were featured on an update episode of the popular TV show Grand Designs. The pair had previously appeared on the program in 2021, documenting their ambitious project to convert a dilapidated 35-year-old barn on Georgie's parents' property into their "forever home."

After overcoming their own health battles - Greg had recovered from a brain tumor, while Georgie had survived both a brain tumor at age 10 and thyroid cancer at 20, as well as ongoing skin cancer - the couple was determined to create a space that could provide comfort and respite for others going through difficult times. To that end, they transformed one of the bedrooms in their newly completed home into a private retreat for friends in need.

Georgie, who is currently undergoing high-dose chemotherapy, explained that she wanted to "look after people like we've been looked after." The couple's friend Jodie, who has benefited from the serene wilderness retreat, praised Georgie's generosity, saying it was "even more extraordinary" that she was still receiving treatment herself.

In addition to their compassionate efforts, the couple has found other ways to give back to their community. Georgie, a talented artist, hosted a successful 130-person exhibit showcasing her breathtaking paintings in the barn, and she now runs art classes upstairs in her workshop. Greg, a pub landlord, has also lent his building expertise to help renovate his brother's home and separate an annexe for Georgie's aging parents.

Despite the challenges they have faced, Greg and Georgie have emerged as an inspiring example of resilience, creativity, and selflessness. Their transformed barn not only serves as a beautiful, functional home but also as a sanctuary for those in need - a testament to the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity and uplift others.