MANY of us start the year with seemingly ambitious resolutions such as to travel more, lose weight or take up a new hobby.

But one county family has just one wish for 2017 – to raise enough money for a mother to undergo life-changing treatment and decorate her own Christmas tree for the first time in 10 years.

Debbie Smith, 50, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis – a neurological condition which affects the nervous system – aged 20 and although the condition was initially tolerable, her health began to deteriorate and she has now been in a wheelchair for a decade.

Mrs Smith’s daughter, Amy, said: "In addition to her lack of mobility and independence, she also suffers with constant painful muscle spasms and extreme low blood pressure attacks which cause her to collapse and renders her exhausted for the remainder of the day.

"And alongside all of this comes the knowledge that things will get even worse and she fears the future."

In the past, Mrs Smith, also mother to James, Tom and Megan, has been turned down for treatment but a beacon of hope has now emerged.

Mrs Smith, who is cared for by her husband Steve, 51, has been told she can have private stem-cell treatment – but it comes at huge cost of £32,000 and is not available on the NHS.

Amy said: “This treatment is the first ray of hope that she's ever been given. All other potential treatments are focused solely on people in the very early stages of MS with minimal damage.

“As most people can likely understand, £32,000 is an unattainable amount for our family, who has never been well off.

“The only way we're going to be able to give mum the chance to get her life back is through the generosity of others.”

The family has launched an online fundraising appeal and hope that the money can be found by June or July to allow six months for the treatment to have started working and improved the condition enough so that Mrs Smith can decorate her own Christmas tree – something she always loved doing.

“There are other things she's never had the chance to do, like taking the dogs for a walk or visiting me in my flat in Hereford, which is impossible for her due to the stairs. It's also important to her regain her independence even if it's only in a small measure,” said Amy.

“Anyone who has met our mum know she is a warm, loving, incredible lady with a heart of gold and we want to give her her life back.

“Since she was diagnosed, she has raised four kids and we are all so grateful for what she has given us.

“Mum has been in a wheelchair for over 10 years now but has never given up hope and has always stayed a happy, positive person. So please, please help us to make this hope a reality for her.”

To donate, visit https://gogetfunding.com/help-our-mum-beat-ms/