A NEWPORT family are hoping to raise £10,000 for a new sensory room at Llanhennock Lodge ahead of the 10th anniversary of their relative suffering a life-changing fall.

The fundraiser at Ringland Labour Club will take place on March 13, which will mark 10 years to the day that Julie Williams, 53, suffered severe head injuries after a three-foot fall.

Mrs Williams, from Newport, had been on her way home from a night out at Pontnewydd Working Men’s Club in Cwmbran.

Such was the severity of Mrs Williams’ injuries, she was put on a life support machine at the University Hospital of Wales.

In total, Mrs Williams spent a year in hospital, including a period of rehabilitation at Rookwood Hospital in Cardiff. She is now in a wheelchair and requires 24-hour care at Llanhennock Lodge.

Mrs Williams has two daughters, Ceri, 30, and Jordanna, 14, and three grandchildren, Paige, 12, Callum, 10, and Lexi, six months.

Mrs Williams’ daughter, Ceri Squire, who brought up Jordanna after the accident, said the night of March 13, 2005 changed her life.

She said: “My mother was an amazing character and we were like sisters. We used to love playing pool and going out together.

“After the accident, I just had to get on with it and I was always going to bring up my sister. It was the biggest decision I ever made, but I didn’t want anyone else to have her.

“Jordanna’s been amazing and rather than the accident knocking her back, it’s made her 100 times stronger.”

Mrs Williams’ family hope that a sensory room, which is a special room designed to develop people’s senses, usually through special lighting, music, and objects, will boost her quality of life.

The room will cost Llanhennock Lodge £30,000 but the family hope to raise £10,000 through charitable donations.

Mrs Squire added: “The fundraiser has now taken over our lives and we’re very hopeful of making the £10,000 target.

“Whatever makes the home better makes my Mum better, and we don’t plan on stopping with just this event.

“My mother’s just been overwhelmed by it all.”

Mrs Williams will attend the event, which gets under way at 7pm on March 13. On the night, there will be comedy from Johnny Dimes; music from DJ Rich Pearce; and a raffle that will feature a signed Newport Gwent Dragons jersey among other signed sports items.

A total of 200 tickets are available. For more information, contact Kate Dowdeswell on 075 15834504 or to donate, visit justgiving.com/Kate-Dowdeswell-Gibbos