A MULTIPLE sclerosis sufferer who was left stranded when thieves stole her mobility trike has been given a replacement – thanks to the Oxford Mail.

Jane Hughes, 32, told earlier this month how thieves stole the Atala three-wheeler from outside her flat in All Saints Court, Didcot, two days before her mother died.

But after the Mail featured the story, mum-of-eight Dawn Phillips, 59, and her husband Victor, 68, came forward to donate a trike.

Mrs Phillips, from Saxton Road, Abingdon, said: “My husband suffered a heart attack in 2000 and has experienced some heart problems and his GP suggested he do more exercise.

“He bought the trike last year instead of a two-wheeled bike because he can be a bit unsteady on his feet, but he never got on with the trike and hardly used it.

“The trike cost £400 but when we read Jane’s story we wanted to give it to her as an early Christmas present because she was treated so badly.

“Whoever took her trike must have known it belonged to a disabled person – it was such a cruel thing to do.”

When the Mail contacted Mrs Hughes to let her know about the offer, she burst into tears and said: “That’s fantastic news. I can’t believe anyone could be so kind.

“It has been much harder for me to get about since the trike was stolen and I haven’t been able to do my shopping on my own.

“I’m so touched by this wonderful gesture – it has given me a lift.”

The trike was stolen outside the part-time court stenographer’s house on November 16.

Mrs Hughes kept the bike locked in a parking area nearby because she couldn’t carry it upstairs to her first-floor flat.

The £350 cost of the trike was not covered by Mrs Hughes’ home insurance and since the theft she has relied on lifts from husband Colin.

After we put the two families in touch, Mrs Hughes and her husband visited Mr and Mrs Phillips on Sunday to try out the new trike.

Mrs Phillips said: “The trike we had was very similar and Jane was really chuffed with it.

“We have given her the lock that goes with it and I’m glad that she will now be able to do a bit of shopping.”