A care home resident with multiple sclerosis (MS) was given the “greatest birthday present ever” as she can now go outside without help for the first time in years.

Jillian Davis from Edgware, who was diagnosed with secondary progressive MS aged 20, was gifted a new state-of-the-art wheelchair on her birthday, after a care home volunteer called on the community to help fundraise.

Livability Care Home volunteer John Stillitz, who also has MS, and Mike Turner, from The Rotary Club of Edgware & Stanmore collaborated on raising money, alongside with being given a MS Society grant secured by Livability manager Melinda Ndreca.

The wheelchair was tailor made to provide Jillian full-body support and allows her to move around the care home and outside without assistance.

Ms Davis said: “I am so grateful to everyone who has been so generous and so kind in giving me the greatest birthday present ever.”

Mr Turner said: “We have had a longstanding relationship with Livability for over 40 years, and I am delighted that we were able to contribute towards Jillian’s new wheelchair.”

In the UK, more than 100,000 people live with MS, with a further one in four likely to know someone affected. The condition tends to be painful and exhausting, affecting the ability for basic functions like walking, talking, eating and thinking.