THE family of an inspirational pensioner who survived the Spanish Flu and Covid-19 is asking for your help to make her birthday ‘extra-special’.

The Leader previously reported that 102-year-old Joan Capel was ‘cut off from the outside world’ after catching coronavirus.

Her family appealed to the public to send her a card to wish her well and was overwhelmed with the response.

This month, granddaughter Alison Telfer is once again asking for the public’s help as Joan, who lives at a Wrexham care home, is set to celebrate her 103rd birthday on January 19.

However due to the lockdown restrictions, Joan finds herself once again ‘cut off from the outside world'.

Alison told the Leader: “It has been very difficult for her to understand the lockdown and travel restrictions.

“We just want to help her celebrate after we had to cancel our plans for a party.

“I have been so worried about her. I was reassured a little when my mum was able to go and wave to her through the window but even that was only allowed once or twice.

“All we can do now is arrange a delivery and look forward to a video call on her birthday.

“My parents can’t even come and stand outside the window and I'm not allowed to travel home. I would be extremely grateful if people can send her a card, a poem or anything else to celebrate.”

Back in 2020, Joan banged her head after slipping over on a late night trip to the bathroom.

After being taken to the Wrexham Maelor Hospital for treatment, she received a routine test for the virus where it was found she had tested positive.

Anyone wishing to send Joan a card can do so to Ashleigh Court Care Home, Chester Road in Wrexham.

Alison, who lives in Lincolnshire, described her grandmother as an inspirational and remarkable woman who before Covid was still working at Erddig for the National Trust.