Mum makes desperate plea for thieves to return her sick child's wheelchair (From Wirral Globe)

Mum makes desperate plea for thieves to return her sick child's wheelchair

9:15am Thursday 31st January 2013 in News By Stephanie Cureton

THE mum of a little girl whose wheelchair was stolen has sent a desperate plea to the thieves.

Suzanne Wilson, from Spital, was left devastated when she discovered burglars had broken into her home and stolen the family car which had four-year-old Amelia’s wheelchair in the boot.

The youngster has relied on the specially-adapted chair since she was diagnosed with a brain tumour last July and essential surgery left her unable to walk.

But following the car theft, which happened in Thornfield Way, Spital overnight between Sunday and Monday, Amelia is now almost housebound.

Mum-of-four Suzanne, 41, said: “I had gone downstairs to feed my newborn son when I noticed drawers had been opened and the car was gone. I don’t think it sunk in until we were taking Amelia to school that the pushchair had been in the boot.

“She can get around the house by crawling or shuffling on her bottom but she needs the chair for school and for when we go out and about. The school have lent her a buggy for the time being but it’s not a permanent answer and she has been asking us where her proper one has gone.”

The wheelchair, which is thought to be worth around £3,000, was stored in the boot of the family’s black Ford Galaxy Zetec, registration plate FE12 XXJ.

Two computers and cash were also stolen during the burglary but Suzanne is desperate for Amelia, who attends The Lyndale School, to be reunited with the wheelchair.

She added: “This is something that is vital to my daughter’s and my family’s life. I want the thieves to ask themselves what they are actually going to do with the wheelchair – they don’t need it like we do.

“It’s upsetting enough that that they have been in our home and taken the car but this is awful. We have had a horrible year with Amelia’s diagnosis and this is just another thing to add to it.”

Detective Inspector Mark Tivendale appealed directly to the burglars to come forward so that the wheelchair can be returned to Amelia.

He told the Globe: “This is a despicable crime and I would appeal to anyone who may have noticed this vehicle in their road to come forward because the chair could still be in there.

“I would also ask the thieves to contact us anonymously because they will know where it is. This chair is crucial to a little girl and she needs it back.”

Anyone with information about this incident can contact detectives on 0151 777 2264 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.