Happiness, devastation and loss — Joy O’Brien has experienced all that and more in what has been a hell of a year.

Joy is battling yet another bout of cancer and, along with family and friends, has had to contend with the loss of her brother Grahame Braid.

On Saturday some people decided to give Joy something to cheer about as the festive season edges closer.

Around 10 neighbours, builders and retailers all pitched in to construct a new back deck, install shade sails and beautify her front yard.

“Everything that could go wrong has this year,” Joy said.

Tenterfield has been home her whole life and she’s never surprised by the generosity of its people.

“You have got to love our town – people have been so supportive. We live in such a beautiful place,” she said.

Neighbours Louise and Ronnie Graham have supported Joy through the good and bad and decided something more tangible needed to be done to brighten up her year.

“I’ve known Joy all my life,” Ronnie said.

“It was supposed to be a surprise but we couldn’t get her out of the house.

“I knew the deck was buggered so I thought we’d better do something,” he said.

He wasn’t after plaudits though and commended everyone who pulled together to get the job done.

“This is all about the community and everyone who donated and pulled it together – we wanted to cheer her up,” Ronnie said.

From the wood to the paint and even the sausages for volunteers, everything was donated.

Both agreed that Joy’s brother, Grahame, would have been proud of the Tenterfield spirit on display.

“He was there for the long haul with me and used to come sit with me in the hospital.

“I just want to say thankyou to everyone for their help,” Joy said.

Still having to undergo regular check-ups and treatment, Rotary has jumped in to help out.

“The Rotary organisation gave me a $500 fuel voucher so I could get to Lismore for treatment – it has all been very humbling.”