A DAD has told of his joy after learning that his wife will be allowed home for the first time since she collapsed out of the blue and suffered brain damage 15 months ago.

Gregg Ormondroyd said he felt “fantastic” after being told that 36-year-old Donna would be moving from a hospital in Goole to a nursing home in Nab Wood – five minutes from the family home.

He hopes the move, which is taking place on November 30, and subsequent visits to their house near Shipley, will lead to Donna spending her first night back at the family home on Christmas Eve alongside Gregg and their four young children.

Thirty-year-old Gregg said: “It is fantastic. It is what we have been waiting for all this time – we are finally getting there.

“There is a little bit of trepidation because there is a lot to go off, like the kids being with their mum again, and people coming to and from the house which the kids will have to get used to.

“The big thing is, this is what we wanted. It is going to be good.

“I have spoken to the kids about it briefly. She is going to a nursing home five minutes away so I can take the kids there every day to build up the relationship.

“It still has not sunk in. I sometimes sit back and think how dark it was to where we are now – it is unreal.”

Donna collapsed at the family’s former home in Tyersal on August 18 last year. She was placed in a medically-induced coma, before scans revealed massive brain damage. The cause of her collapse remains a mystery.

Gregg was forced to give up his job to become a full-time dad to their four children, and also started a campaign to bring Donna back home.

Well-wishers have raised thousands of pounds, Bradford-based social housing landlord Incommunities has provided a house for the family, and Premier League footballer Tom Cleverley and Bradford City club ambassador Billy Bingham have lent a hand.

But there was also a wobble, when the Continuing Healthcare Team at Bradford District Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), who would be responsible for Donna’s care, sent Gregg a letter telling him to stop the work being done at the house in preparation for her return.

However, a month later the plans were back on track after the CCG made a U-turn and gave the green light.

Gregg said: “It has been a tough road, a long road. But we have got through it with support from everyone.

“Without the thousands of people who have supported us, none of this would be possible.

“Incommunities has got to have a big thank-you because, ultimately, they have provided a house for us.

“Billy Bingham and Tom Cleverley, who have helped financially, and everyone who has helped to raise money – whether it was £1 or £100 – I cannot thank you all enough.

“It is all going towards getting Dee home and making it the best it can be.”

After Donna moves home, Gregg said she would have a schedule of visits to phase her back into living with the family.

“Within two weeks of her coming back, she will spend two to four hours at home to start with,” said Gregg. “Then we will work towards a full day at home the week after.

“The first night at home, we are hoping to be Christmas Eve. That would be unbelievable. It is how families should be at Christmas – all together. Last year was the worst Christmas anyone could imagine – it was heartbreaking.

“This will be a million times better. Given the situation, there is no better outcome for us.

“It is definitely onwards and upwards now.”