Flat That Wasn't Cleaned For 13 Years Transformed By Kind Neighbour

We've all got to the point where the mess in our houses becomes so ridiculous that it's actually preferable to live inside a didgeridoo, which is being played by Rolf Harris, rather than our own gaff.

However, most of us will just leave the dishes, or pile empty packets of Haribo on top of each other because we can't be bothered emptying the bin. This woman went a bit further than that.

A 76-year-old had lived in her flat without showering or cleaning for 13 years. To put that into context, that is the same amount of years since Saddam Hussein was captured. It feels like a lifetime ago.

Credit: SWNS

The pensioner's neighbour, Lucy Ashen, had lived next to the old-timer for 21 years but only recently discovered the mess inside her humble abode. To help her out, she spent 60 hours scrubbing, cleaning, brushing and polishing to transform the mess into a decent place to live.

Lucy appealed online for help in filling the cupboards with food after the two weeks of her own version of Extreme Makeover.

"She got locked out one day and I pulled her bedroom window open," Lucy said. "What I found was horrific - totally horrific. I was speechless.

"There were faeces everywhere. There was lots of furniture everywhere and cushions upside down."

Credit: SWNS

While the mum-of-three threw out the old, rotting furniture, her 14-year-old daughter, Ruby, kept the old lady company. They also gave her a first bath in 13 years.

Thanks to a Facebook post by Lucy, fridges, sofas and clothes were donated. You've got to love the generosity of the public.

Credit: SWNS

She said: "I think it really touched a nerve with people. This could be your mum. This could be you. It could be me in a few years.

"She's lived right under all our noses."

Credit: SWNS

The pensioner, who Lucy does not want to name but says she calls her 'My Lady', has had a GoFundMe page set up in her name so she can hopefully be taken on holiday.

Lucy hopes this will raise awareness of the dangers of elderly people being isolated and living alone.

Featured image credit: SWNS

Topics: Charity

Mark McGowan

Mark is a journalist at LADbible, who joined in 2015 after a year as a freelance writer. In the past he blogged for independent football fan channel Redmen TV, after graduating from Staffordshire University with degrees in journalism and English literature. He has worked on campaigns such as UOKM8? and IIOC.