BEFORE two charities stepped in, a blind Army veteran’s home was overrun with boxes, books and old paperwork.

Royal Artillery veteran Joe Quigley, 79, who lives in Basildon, hoarded possessions from nearly 40 years of his life, piling them up around his flat.

His hoarding habits threatened to keep him away from the very place he loved when hospital staff refused to discharge him following a fall at home.

But help came in the form of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity based in Southend, who learned at Joe’s plight and wanted to help.

Michelle Turner-Everett, divisional secretary at SSAFA, called on the team at Openreach to facilitate her renovation miracle to help Joe move back home.

She said: “He had mice, there was no central heating and he had old-fashioned windows.

“It took three eight-yard skips to clear it over four days.

“Working together with the landlords, we arranged for double glazing to be fitted before making it all nice ready for Joe to leave hospital.

“He loved books and records, but most of it was paperwork. Because he couldn’t read them he just shoved them in a drawer.”

Joe, alongside his brother and sister who live in the north of England, have a hereditary condition which caused their gradual eyesight loss.

His sight is restricted to shapes and silhouettes, but this has not stopped SSAFA from arranging a TV aerial to be fixed so he can have a “proper TV”.

She said: “At least then he won’t be indoors in silence anymore.

“When I suggested to Joe about moving, he explained he’d lived in the area for so long with his eyesight, he knows how to get to the bus stop so he can see friends in Rochford.

“If I’d have moved him, he would’ve been isolated which is why we did.”

The Royal Artillery veteran served in the Army for just under six years.

The charity will continue to support him with weekly visits and a cleaner. Joe said: “I was afraid I’d never get to come home to my own bed and I am so happy to be back. I want to say thank you to everyone who helped to transform my flat – I can get around safely and it’s much cosier.”