Nice treat after ringing in new year in hospital

Single mum Linda Wilson had an unfortunate start to the year. When the clock struck twelve, most of us were out celebrating, or gathered around family and friends, but Linda was in her son George's hospital room.

George, 22, is autistic and also has tuberous sclerosis, a rare condition that causes tumours to grow on the brain. He also suffers from severe fits.

Linda's mum, Muriel Bergins, knows how hard it can be for her daughter to give George constant care.

Muriel said: "He has fits every day, cannot speak and is incontinent so, as you can imagine, life is not easy."

Although he had two brain operations at Great Ormond Street hospital, in London, to remove the tumours, the operations did not go well and George lost his speech.

"Linda is a very loving, supportive mother," Muriel said.

"If anyone deserves a treat, she does."

Her other two sons have both been away in the Armed Forces.

Kenny, 26, served six months in Afghanistan with the Territorial Army last year while 25-year-old David is now training with the Royal Marines in Portsmouth.

Looking after George can be stressful for Linda, 54, as his autism is linked to the tuberous sclerosis.

The caring daughter, who lives in Skirlaugh, also finds time to help look after her dad, Arvids Bergins, who is paralysed from the waist down.

Due to all of these responsibilities, Linda has very little time to think about herself, let alone treat herself to pampering sessions or new clothes.

"Linda loves finding clothes in charity shops but it would be fantastic for her to have something new," Muriel said.

Laura May, personal shopper at Debenhams, said: "When Linda came for her appointment, she explained she was looking for an outfit she could wear to tango lessons.

"We decided on a dress that she could dance in and a pair of glamorous heels.

"I picked out a classic black dress with a beautiful pleated hem line. It will be perfect for Linda's dance moves.

"I finished off the outfit with a pair of patent bow detailed heels."

Stacey France, make-up artist at Colour Lounge, said: "Today, we went for a natural smoky eye because it was a daytime look.

"Using cream and brown shades, I used a brown eyeliner to the eyelid and under the eye.

"Then mascara was added to the lashes.

"Linda's brows were very sparse, so I used an HD palette to make them more visible.

"I applied a tinted moisturiser to the face, then bronzer and blusher.

"To finish, golden lipstick was added to the lips."

Linda loved her glam-over into a dancing queen.

"I've been wearing it to every occasion: on Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and at my son George's birthday meal.

"Everyone's seen it now but it's a great little black frock, you can change it with jewellery and accessories."

She was equally pleased with her hair.

"I went in with it looking like a haystack but now it looks so healthy," Linda said.

Trying on her new threads, Linda felt like a celeb for the day and even wrote in to the Mail to say thank you.

"I had a coffee while Laura picked out outfits, then they were all laid out ready," she said.

"She was so helpful and it was a wonderful experience, you feel like a million dollars."

Collection Dress, £65; Red Herring shoes, £35; from Debenhams, in Prospect Street, Hull, HU2 8PQ. Call 01482 621377 to book a personal shopper appointment.

Colour Lounge, in Carr Lane, Hull, HU1 3RQ. Call 01482 227755 for an appointment.