ONE Newport family will be getting their Christmas wish tomorrow – when a paralysed woman comes home from hospital for the first time in over a year thanks to money raised by the local community.

Last week, the fundraising campaign to bring stroke victim Karen Walters home from hospital made a breakthrough when local traders built a disabled ramp outside her home for free.

Ms Walters, 38, has not been able to return home since October 2013 following a devastating stroke which left her paralysed from the neck down and only able to communicate through head movements.

Since Ms Walters was diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year, her family have been desperately trying to raise £9,000 to adapt the family house in Llanmartin so she can be cared for at home.

But now, thanks to Underwood builder Anthony Edwards and a team of plasterers, plumbers and handymen, Karen is set to join her family at home for a few hours on Christmas Day.

Mum Glenys Walters said: “This time last year, it was very bleak, a very sad time. But this year it’s totally different, she’s with us.

“I just can’t thank the community enough for what they have done. They have helped to bring my daughter home for Christmas.”

Self-employed builder Anthony Edwards was aware of Ms Walters’ situation through the local community and arranged for a new disability door and path wide enough for her chair to be built at no cost.

The building work, which would have cost £7,000, means the family just needed to raise £2,000 to receive a £35,000 grant to adapt the home with facilities.

Thanks to fundraising walks, cycle rides, raffles and donations organised by family and friends over the last six months, Ms Walters’ family have hit the target.

If all goes well with her visit home on Christmas Day, the family hope 2015 will be the year she can leave Rookwood Hospital in Cardiff and come home for good.

Mrs Walters, Karen’s mother, said: “She’s coming home for a visit for four to five hours on Christmas Day. We have to make sure she doesn’t get over-tired.

“It’s going to be a joyful time, a happy time, but it’s also going to be an anxious time. As a family, we are worried about how she’s going to cope with being at home after such a long time.”

Ms Walters, who was originally given just 48 hours to live, will be joined by brothers Wayne, Mark and Glyn and sister Ceri and their families.

With the help of staff at the hospital, Ms Walters has bought Christmas presents for her nieces and nephews.

Brother Mark said: “I haven’t got the vocabulary to put into words what Karen coming home means. It’s magic for her, it’s the best.”

Mr Edwards, who organised the building work, said: “The family are over the moon. It’s so she can come home and visit her mum, that’s what life’s all about.”