Heartwarming surprise for police officer battling multiple sclerosis

A dedicated police officer, who is battling multiple sclerosis, has come home to a wonderful surprise put together by his friends and colleagues.

Senior Constable Michael Nelson, from the Bankstown Police Transport Command, arrived home after a few nights away and was instantly overwhelmed by the generosity of many who transformed his home and helped ease a heavy burden on his family.

What was just a patch of dirt around the home of the officer, who has been a highway patrol officer for 17 years, is now a landscaped garden.

“It’s hard to describe. It’s great,” Michael said.

The father of two was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis two years ago.

The Senior Constable’s family only moved to Buxton a few weeks ago, and with all their efforts focused on his health there was not much time left over to look after the new house.

But with the help of more than a dozen police officers, who took annual leave to shovel dirt and roll the turf, his yard was transformed in just three days.

“Can’t thank everyone enough. It’s beyond words at the moment,” Michael said.

“I’m so glad that he knows now, because I hate keeping stuff from him,” his wife Phi Nelson said.

Michael has had to slow right down and is working just a couple of hours a week, which is why police are also holding a fundraiser next Tuesday – to help lighten that financial burden.

“Mick is such a humble person. He would never stick his hand up and ask for some assistance,” Detective Superintendent Rohan Cramsie said.