By Emily Parsons

Last updated at 13:47, Monday, 01 October 2012

Thank you is not enough to express the gratitude felt by a disabled woman, who has been helped by strangers.

Rachel Lyon is mobile again thanks to Eric Little, left and father David

The News & Star featured the story of Rachel Lyon, from Lime Grove, Raffles, Carlisle, who had her mobility scooter stolen and vandalised – twice.

The 20-year-old has severe mobility problems, after she was struck down with Guillaine-Barre syndrome, a rare form of paralysis, aged six.

She can walk just short distances using her crutches but relies on the scooter to get around.

The vandals had ripped off the plastic surrounding the wiring in their attempts to hot wire the scooter, leaving it badly damaged and Rachel without her lifeline.

After seeing the story in the paper, Eric and David Little, who jointly own Brampton Cars, got in touch and offered to organise and pay for it to be repaired.

In turn, the Littles approached Robson Medical and Mobility to carry out the repairs, who offered to charge them cost price for the parts – and to complete the labour free of charge.

Rachel was “gob-smacked” when she received the call.

“I didn’t know what to say,” she said. “I couldn’t believe it. It has been difficult with just my wheelchair; I can’t get very far.

“I am just so grateful for everything they have done for me, I can’t say it enough. It’s lovely.”

Eric, 31, said: “I saw the picture in the paper and, before I even read the article, I wanted to help. We donate to a lot of charities, but you often don’t see where the money goes. It was nothing for us to do it, but has made a big difference to Rachel#Sales engineer Mark Johnston, from Robson Medical and Mobility, completed the work himself.

“We can’t do this for everyone,” he said, “but when Mrs Robson was approached by Eric she wanted to help.”

Eric added: “The News & Star passed on my details to a man who wanted to help and he sent us a cheque for £50.

“Apparently his wife had been in the same situation and he wanted to help – a complete stranger just sent a cheque.

“We don’t even know his name.”

First published at 11:25, Monday, 01 October 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk