Thieves steal terminally ill man's '˜lifeline' mobility scooter

Christopher Perry, right, with wife Lisa, who have been devastated after his mobility scooter was stolen while they were away in Manchester.

Christopher Perry, 37, of Wuppertal Court, Jarrow, relied on the vehicle to maintain his independence as he continues to battle cancer.

Police are now appealing for information after the scooter – along with its charger – were stolen from Mr Perry’s shed while he and wife Lisa were visiting family in Manchester over the weekend.

Mr Perry is undergoing chemotherapy as doctors try to prolong his life.

Mr and Mrs Perry live with Christopher’s mum and dad, Pat and Jimmy.

Jimmy is also battling cancer, and had planned to use the scooter –which is worth in the region of £600 – in the future.

The family has been left devastated by the incident.

Lisa said: “I’m upset and furious that someone would do this. That was his little lifeline.

“He’s devastated and his head is all over the place.

“This theft means that he’s not able to do a simple thing like go to the shop with his mam and dad any more.

“He can’t push himself at the moment because he hasn’t got the energy, and his mam and dad don’t have the strength to do it.”

She added: “It’s so hurtful that someone would want to do something like this.”

The family had set up an online fundraising page in a bid to raise the funds to buy the scooter.

Eventually, though, it was donated by a family friend, and Christopher received it just last week.

Mrs Perry added: “It’s all the more infuriating because a friend had donated it to us, and Christopher had only been out in it once.

“He loved it.

“When he found out it had been stolen, his first words were ‘that’s me not going out any more then’.

“It’s gut-wrenching and I feel physically sick that someone has taken this away from him.”

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said: “Police are carrying out enquiries after a silver Explorer mobility scooter and charger were stolen after a shed was broken into in Wuppertal Court, in Jarrow.

“The burglary happened between 7pm on Saturday, October 15 and 1.30pm on Sunday, October 16.

“Any witnesses to the burglary, or anyone with information about the whereabouts of the scooter, are asked to contact Northumbria Police on 101, quoting reference 602 161016, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”