Mrs J is awaiting discharge from hospital but first needed her bed and sofa removed from her home to make space for a hospital bed.

Latoya and Anne turned up to get the job done. While Mrs J's daughter explained the task, Latoya got stuck in, clearing the corridor to make a safe route out of the flat, and sizing up the stairs that had to be navigated with the furniture.

We quickly established that we were dealing with the biggest, bendiest and heaviest mattress either of us had handled! But with Latoya's impressive strength and sheer determination (plus a bit of help from gravity), the mattress was maneuvered downstairs, outside and over to the bin area.

The divan base, drawers were child's play by comparison and offered a brief 'break' before the sofa was dissembled and encouraged to bend round corners.

It was quite a workout on a hot afternoon but soon everything was out, ready for collection.