Portsmouth Pensioner Gets Back on His Feet After Scooter Theft
A kind-hearted local business has stepped up to help a Portsmouth pensioner left stranded when his mobility scooter was stolen.
Devastated Ron Left Housebound
Ron Mitchell, 68, was devastated to discover his mobility scooter missing outside his Copnor home on Monday morning. With serious back problems, even short walks leave him in agony. Without his scooter, Ron was effectively confined to his home.
His daughter, Debbie Broad, told us, “My dad has a serious back problem. He can’t walk to the end of his road without stopping in pain. The scooter is his legs—his independence. Seeing it gone was absolutely horrendous.”
Local Garage Donates Replacement Scooter
After Debbie’s heartfelt plea went viral on Facebook, North End Motors on London Road swung into action. Owner Daniel Reilly, who also deals in mobility scooters, donated a replacement free of charge.
Daniel said, “It’s not brand new, but it should get Ron through Christmas and into the New Year. You hear about bikes being stolen, but to steal a mobility scooter from an old man is disgusting. Whoever did it should be ashamed.”
Ex-Navy Ron’s Long Road to Recovery
Ron, a retired refrigeration engineer and ex-navy man, has battled multiple health issues after two knee transplants left one leg shorter than the other, triggering his back condition.
“I had one transplant in 2009, the other in 2011, and from 2012 my back started giving me real trouble. I can barely walk. I rely on others to walk my dog,” Ron explained.
