Generous donors give Wirral war veteran new mobility scooter after thieves left him housebound

Oct 31 2012 by Linda Foo Guest, Heswall News

A WAR veteran who was left housebound after thieves stole his mobility scooter has been given his lifeline back thanks to generous donors.

Mr Joe Baxter, a disabled pensioner, had the only means of getting around taken away from him.

Thieves snatched his £1,600 electric scooter while it was briefly parked under a window in his front garden in Wallasey.

Because it was not properly secured, his insurance company would not pay out.

Mr Baxter served in World War II and struggles to walk short distances.

He has undergone five heart-bypasses and is recovering from cancer of the larynx.

Michelle Evans and John Bird read about his plight in the Wirral News last month, and were so furious they wanted to help.

The charitable couple who own Bell Mobility shop on Kings Street, Wallasey, were swiftly put in touch with Mr Baxter and they offered him a new scooter for free.

The great-grandfather said he was over the moon with delight.

He said: “I couldn’t believe what I was hearing and was overwhelmed with the kind gesture.

“When I arrived at the shop, Michelle told me to choose whatever I wanted.

“They had already picked out a big one which was waiting for me, but I thought a smaller one would do.

“Now this new scooter allows me to park it in the house so it is more safe and secure. I don’t have to leave it outside now for it to be stolen.

“Michelle and John are a wonderful couple. I didn’t know these type of people existed – so kind-hearted.

“My new scooter gives me the freedom to get to the local shops and buy my morning paper. I’ve missed doing that.

“I can now go wherever I want with less restrictions.

“I can’t thank Michelle and John enough for their generosity.”

His five-year-old maroon-coloured scooter was stolen on the evening of September 8.

Michelle added: “When I read the article in the Wirral News I couldn’t believe somebody could do that. It wasn’t one those stories we could ignore, knowing we could help.

“It is bad enough when your bike is stolen, but to steal a mobility scooter is taking his legs and independence away.

“We just wanted to help and are delighted to give Joe back a bit of his independence.”