Wheelchair stolen from 82-year-old in Southwick

Widow Joyce Hill, who is frail and suffers from arthritis and diabetes, had loaned her wheelchair to her daughter Sallyanne Redden so she could sell poppies and raise money for servicemen and women.

But moments after finishing selling the poppies, the chair was stolen.

It was taken from the lobby of Mrs Hill’s block of flats in Wartling Court, Butts Road, Southwick.

Mrs Redden, 46, needed to use the wheelchair as she is currently suffering from a back problem. She could not carry it up the stairs to her mother’s flat because of her ailment.

Now, 82-year-old Mrs Hill, who also has four children and 11 grandchildren, is unable to leave her home.

Poppies

Mrs Redden, of Rock Close, Southwick, said: “What was really awful is I had just come back from selling poppies in Southwick Square.

“So in one breath I was seeing how generous people could be and in the next breath I was seeing the very worst of people. Mum is a very old lady, she is very frail, and this is awful.

Mrs Redden added that her mother had bought the chair using her pension money and needed it for hospital appointments.

The wheelchair was taken on Monday, November 5, at about 1.30pm.

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: “This is a despicable crime which has left a woman without her only mode of transport.

“I would appeal to anyone who knows who is responsible for the theft, or has information to please get in touch. You can call 101 quoting serial 1127 of 5/11 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

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