THE house of a disabled women which went up in flames earlier this year has been given a makeover.

Ann Greenfield’s property, in Friar Road, Orpington, was ravaged by a fire on September 9 this year.

The revamp of Mrs Greenfield’s house took 14 well-wishers a week to complete starting on November 17.

While her friends, from all over the country, went to work on the house, they sent the couple away to a cottage in Camber Sands for a holiday. They also asked nearby businesses for help in creating the dream home.

Mrs Greenfield, 55, who has suffered from a brain tumour for 15 years, said: “They decorated the whole house and got all these Orpington businesses involved.

“It was amazing and I would like to thank everyone involved.”

The former Biggin Hill airport chef, who has three carers including her husband, Paul, suffers from double vision, epilepsy and has difficulty walking, so redecorating the house herself was out of the question.

Friend Sue Spencer, from Hever, in Kent, has known Ann since they worked at the airport together and spearheaded the makeover.

The fifty-year-old said: “We decided that after the fire that had really upset them both they needed to be cheered up and this was how to make it happen. My daughter, Chloe, ran around getting all the local businesses to donate.”

“The house hadn’t been re-decorated for more than twenty-two years.

“I have to say there were times that I thought we had bitten off far more than we should have."

She added: “I hope it will inspire other people to do a similar thing, what we called a DIY SOS, in the future.”

A whole host of nearby companies who gave a helping hand included Goldstar, in Cotmandene Crescent, Pondens, in the High Street, which donated free net curtains and a discounted blind.

Jonsons Florist, in Orpington High Street, provided flowers and a hanging basket and Carpet Giant, in Oast House Way, donated a carpet and spray glue. Give 2 Give, in Station Road, Hayes, also donated and Country House Interiors, in Sussex gave cushions free of charge.

Surrey-based RotorMotion Helicopters donated money for a carpet in the spare room.