THE family of an inspirational pensioner who is battling coronavirus have been overwhelmed with the kindness of strangers.

The Leader previously reported that Joan Capel, 102, survived the Spanish Flu but is now currently 'cut off from the outside world' due to being in isolation after testing positive for coronavirus.

Her family asked people to send her a note or card to wish her well and the response has been overwhelming.

Granddaughter Alison Telfer, who lives in Lincolnshire, said: "My mum (Helen Davies) and I would like too thank the kindness of friends and strangers from all over the world who took Grandma into their hearts and sent her a tide of love at unprecedented and devastatingly difficult times."

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.

She has since been in isolation but has been receiving well wishes from as far as Nottingham and Dorset.

The Leader:

Alison added: "I have spoken to Grandma and she sounds clear and strong and cheery. She says she is feeling belligerent and not ready to give up to Covid. She says it will be a while before she gets mobile but it was almost worth being ill to have so many lovely cards letters and presents.

"She says she doesn't know how to say thank you to everyone - and that she would be bankrupt if she had to write thank you letters. Everyday she is still getting half a dozen letters from all over the country.

"She thinks that there must be a lot of misery about outside because people seem to have embraced the chance to spread some joy and cheer to her. I told her people thought she was remarkable and an inspiration and she laughed because she said 'But I am just me'.

"Grandma is so grateful that people took the time to think of her and that she cant wait to get back to Erddig and her beloved book shop."

The Leader:

Abileigh Hughes from Wrexham wrote Joan a special card

Joan still volunteers in the bookshop along with her best friend Maggie Shaw who is also currently isolating due to being classed as vulnerable.

Alison said her grandma is a 'remarkable character' and is still well despite battling the virus, however due to the extreme isolation, she is getting more confused and her short-term memory is failing.

She told the Leader: "It's not just the virus that the residents in care homes are at risk from, it's the detrimental effects that isolation and confusion can cause to their mental health.

"They are cut off from the outside world and separated from loved ones. Most of them are without the technology that the rest of us are taking for granted so video calls and internet aren't available to them."