A NEWPORT family is closing on its £10,000 target for a new sensory room at Llanhennock Lodge following the 10th anniversary of their dear relative suffering a life-changing fall.

Julie Williams, 53, suffered severe head injuries after a three-foot fall on her way home from a night out at Pontynewydd Working Men’s Club in Cwmbran.

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

In total, she 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, 11, Callum, nine, and Lexi, nine months.

On the 10th anniversary of her fall, on March 13, 2015, Mrs Williams’ family held a fundraising night at Ringland Labour Club, which raised £2,200 on the night.

Owed to backpacking, further donations, and subsequent fundraising nights, the family have raised £6,500 to date and hope to reach their £10,000 target by the end of the year.

Mrs Williams’ daughter, Ceri Squire, who brought up her sister, Jordanna, after the accident said: “Mum absolutely loved the night and was on the dance floor. She even had half a lager.

“She remembered so many people, which shocked us as there were people there that we hadn’t seen for years.

“She seems a lot better in herself since and it’s brought me and my sister closer together. Jordanna had never seen my Mum out of the home or like that before.

“She never knew she was so hyper and I think that’s still been in her since the accident. She still loves going out and enjoying herself.

“We can’t thank everyone enough for donating since. There’s just too many to name but we’ve been surprised at how so much has been raised in such a short period of time.”

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.

There are a handful of tickets left for the family’s next fundraising night, a ladies only event from 7pm at the Friendship Inn in Ringland tomorrow night (Sat).

Tickets are priced at £6 and also be bought on the door.

For more information contact Kate Dowdeswell on 075 15834504 or to donate, visit justgiving.com/Kate-Dowdeswell-Gibbos.