The series - in which wealthy benefactors seek to change the lives of others for the better - continues.
Fifty-one-year-old Hilary Devey (pictured) has built up a business turning over £100m a year in the male-dominated haulage industry. Now Hilary wants to give something back, so she's going undercover on a tough housing estate in her native north west.
Growing up in Bolton, near Manchester, Hilary was driven by her publican dad's ethos: "If you can walk, eat and sleep, you can work." She travels to Rochdale, just a few miles from Bolton, to live undercover for ten days on the Falinge estate, which has a reputation as a no-go area, and is notorious for having the highest percentage of people on incapacity benefits in the country.
Working in a pub pulling pints for the first time in 30 years, Hilary gets to know the local community. She finds Sheila Acton, who started the Syke Base Community Centre to help local OAPs who were too frightened to leave their homes because of crime. But the centre is facing closure after losing its funding.
Elsewhere she meets Carol who runs the Back Door Music project for local young people and Sean, who as well as being a single dad to four kids, and holding down a full-time job, runs Syke Base FC and has become a father figure to the young lads he coaches. But after ten days getting to know people, it's up to Hilary to decide who to help with some of her own fortune, and she's so impressed that she decides to double her planned donation.
im a 37 years old,on disability living allowence,i have ordered a motability car,to help me get around,i have to pay £750 advance paymeant,which im struggling to pay i can raise £300 myself,if u could help, please contact me@oatiebrown@yahoo.co.uk thank you
I am just wish if anyone somewhere could help me as well. I have got 7 Month baby and I cant go back to work because no one to look after him. Just looking for something(work) to do at home so that I can get £400pm, which will help me to pay my debt and billS. God bless u
October 27th - 12:58amNancy M said...
I think it is wonderful that people with money would help others. If I had millions, I would do the same and to say "Pay it Forward". Please take time to read my story (which I left out A LOT of details) but I am one of those in need.
I am at the end of my rope and ready to close the garage door if I do not get help somewhere or at least some advise as to where I can get help. I have been a single mom for many years raising my children & step-children basically by myself as most family are now deceased (lost my parents at the age of 11yrs old, lived in foster homes as a young gal & still struggling). I could write a book of all I went through in my lifetime but now I am 57yrs old and not too many years from retirement but not able to save enough to enjoy it. My story is a long complicated one so to make it short, I was financially raped by a family member who have now ruined a perfect credit score because I had to file bankruptcy. They have depleted my savings due to my own stupidity thinking from my heart instead of my head trying to help them out and ended up using any savings I had.. I am trying to find my way back and having a hard time at getting ahead. If someone could help out financially it would be a blessing but I do not like asking for handouts and I do have a good job. I would like to get a loan or advice as to where I could get a loan as regular banks will not help due to filing bankruptcy. The amount I need to make life easier would be $8,000 which would pay all my loans, late electric and some medical bills. I can afford $300-$350 a month and pay it off within 24-30 months. My rent is going to get behind and trying to keep up with regular bills is killing me due to trying to get out of payday hell (over 300+% in interest which I am now paying and is automatically deducted from my checking account). I had to take out loans in order to pay attorney fees, some regular bills so I am not late and medical bills but now I can not get out of this payday cycle. My health is not the best but I keep working to keep my head above water. So, if there is anyone out there who even reads this and has a way to help me reach my goal to payoff bills and never have to take payday loans again, please, send me an email at; Nanzee69@aol.com - I would be forever grateful if this miracle would happen. Once I could get ahead I would help someone else & "Pay it Forward". Thank you for reading this and God Bless you.
October 13th - 12:57pmKaya said...
I'm just watching the story on John Elliot on Australian tele and he is reducing me to tears. If only we were ALL like him.What a man, what a HUMAN. I will strive to be as compassionate. Having said that, I wish someone like John Elliot would for once help ME!
September 23rd - 7:41pmcal said...
What Was The Song Though!!!
September 11th - 10:53pmmaureen said...
I thought Hillary was a very down to earth person who could do with someone really nice and caring to look after her.She seemd sad and lonely at times and I thought that the guy teaching the kids football would have made a good match for her. I hope her son is ok in the future as you could tell how much he loved her
September 10th - 6:12pmmathew said...
hi does anyone know the name of the song at the end of last nights secret millionaire, it was played at the end and just a guitar for a few seconds, its been buggin me, lol
September 10th - 11:27amSHEILA PULLINGER said...
Hilary was a darling lady, and it just goes to show that all the money in the world doesn't necessarily make you happy, the joy on her face when she was with the real people in the world made brought a tear to your eye, good on you gal.
September 3rd - 6:57pmjohn said...
me thinks you didnt watch the progamme s wildner comment below he gave away £30k, fair donation for someone of 26 how much have you given away? maybe u need to invest in a new calculator
September 3rd - 5:09pmjack said...
s.wildner
your comment below shows u didnt watch the show properly he gave away £30k and that would make anyone feel good what have you done to help anyone people like you make me sisck get off your behind and go and help some homeless people instead of sitting on your computer critising other people people like you make me feel Sick
September 2nd - 10:02pms.wildner said...
A millionaire, and he gave away £25,000, and it made him feel good, oh please, no wonder he's a millionaire, i felt nothing but embarassment
August 30th - 11:47pmTony Lord said...
Good gosh I seen this episode and I was sickened at how poor and run down the Ladywood area of Birmingham is with rows of urban decaying terraced housing bakt o back and the grim rotting tower block estates where drugs are rife gune crime and knife crime are rife as if you didn't know there was a drive by shooting in Ladywood 2 weeks ago, thats how bad the area is young black & asian youthd in gangs Ladywood Birmingham.
August 28th - 12:59pmTony Lord said...
It's interesting isn't it that whatever anyone does there is always someone around to shoot it full of holes, and everyone has a right to their opinion. The reality is that people will have many reasons for appearing on this programme but if the result is that it makes all of us sit up, look around and ask what we can do to help those people that do fall through the net then it can only be a good thing. I am a regular contributor to good causes that I pick and choose and I can tell anyone who is interested that I do it for one reason and one reason only - it makes me feel good and makes it easier for me to accept my own good fortune. So long may paople feel like that and if this and other programmes perpetuate the cuolture of giving, either by time or by cash then I think they are welcome.
August 13th - 10:05pmvsource said...
People give more than money on these shows, there is a lot that goes on after the show has finished and these people continue to give their time and support. Not forgetting that the show encourages us to think about how we could all help a little more, and yes I work hard for everything I have got and no one helped me. But that doesn't mean I have the right to be all self righteous but I should think myself as lucky and consider how I can help people who are less fortunate than myself.
August 13th - 3:39pmmarie walsh said...
Your heart is clearly good Kavita, well done to your family.
Unfortunately you wouldn't know how to sort the genuine from the layabouts. this comes from my having worked with the so-called needy for 25 years. they are very good at making you feel sorry for them. very few are actually genuine though. sadly your help will enable them to carry on as they always have. I'm sorry to burst your bubble but I could and should write a book about these people some of them are a real class act when it comes to claiming benefits. You really are vulnerable without inside knowledege. You clearly want to help people. Think about people who are helping themselves. the young who earn little but would love to buy their own home yet go to work consistently and pay their way strugging on low wages. Maybe the elderly who have worked all their lives and are unable to claim benefits because their frugal savings take them out of the 'poverty trap', sometimes by as little as 25p but they still pay full council tax and all their bills. Many wont even ask for assistance because their too proud. Many fought in wars to ensure we had our freedom today. Remember Kavita the so called unfortunates you are trying to help pay no council tax no rent and get vast amounts of help from sometimes free furnishing projects.and numerous other charitable organisations. Many still run cars smoke have several children and manage very nicely having never done a days work. They also pay to rent council garages at £7-9 per week whilst not paying rent. There are not just a few hundred doing this but thousands and thousands. They will still hold there hands out for your money Kavita. Take your kind heart somewhere where it deserves to be and help the genuine people who are really trying to get by working and not shirking to survive.
el
August 13th - 12:32amAkshay Bagercha said...
Hello Kavita,
I have seen you in Tele and felt proud. But i want to give you one suggestion if you donate the money to needy people they can have it today but what will happen when that money finshes i thought about this and i realiazed instead of giving money why not create a job opportunity and give them a chance to show their talent. Sorry if said something wrong.
August 6th - 7:52pmolivia amartey said...
enjoy
August 4th - 3:41pmAmanda said...
Well I suppose I see your point Dan but I don't understand why you feel the need to ramble when you do not know this person or anything about them!!
I have worked for Kavita for nearly four years and she is much more than just a Versace person - and no, she doesn't own a yacht!
Following this programme being filmed she has continued to give her valuable time and expertise to help the projects forward. She is in a position where she is able to help these people and all of this is done without cameras rolling or without anyone patting her on the back! FYI, not that it's really your business, she donates a substantial amount to charity every month and has done ever since the business started!
Well done Kavita!!
August 4th - 1:26pmDan said...
Why dont they donate a lot more, why dont they donate a percentage of their wealth each year as a long term thing rather than a one-off 'small' (for them) payment.
This programme just seeks to make these wealthy people feel a bit better for a few days before they head back to their yachts and versace!
Personally I think it just deepens the divide between the poor and the wealthy and it really annoys me that they have this 'pat-me-on-my-back' attitude ... why dont they actually do something serious and long term to help (without the cameras and tv crews following them)!
August 3rd - 1:08pmtammy mason said...
wish i didn't have to kill myself working 24/7 so i can get a morgage now i can only get one for 80,000 no nice houses wish i could get one for at least 110,00 so i can get a better home in a nicer area any suggestions
July 27th - 8:03pmpaul said...
ive been waiting a year for this new series to come back on,hooray i will be glued for the next seven weeks
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