Come on, this is just a blatant PR piece. Lot's of people do lots of things to fund their struggling startups, but very few get a full article plus advertising photos on the BBC. Well done guys, kudos, but come on there is no story here.
So I'm guessing Perry has a few connections and can get some PR when he wants. Perhaps 'selling one of the family homes' doesn't provide the same punchy headline.
if that's the case then that sounds much more reasonable (though still kind of weird; why put your assets on the line when cheaper capital is available? especially if you're well connected and can obtain it?)