Victory in sight in battle to get Hilda a handrail

SHE HAD BEEN STRUGGLING FOR MONTHS TO GET OUT ON HER OWN

- By GEORGE PALMER-SOADY

Hilda Pannell next to the temporary handrail put up by good Samaritans following the Post's story. Now Nottingham City Council says it will be putting up a permanent one

THERE have been many times over the past year when 96-year-old Hilda Pannell has come close to giving up in her fight to get a handrail fitted outside her home.

But after months of countless back-and-forth telephone calls and broken promises, victory is finally in sight for the Nottingham widow, who has spent most of 2025 unable to leave her bungalow by herself.

Mrs Pannell has now received a letter from Nottingham City Council confirming that a permanent handrail will be fitted outside her home by the middle of this month.

Four months ago, it was something that seemed almost impossible for the former dinner lady and carer, who first contacted the Post after calling everyone else she could think of.