Thug wrecks couple’s ‘lifeline’ to outside world
AN ELDERLY couple have had their ‘lifeline’ to the outside world destroyed after a yob dropped a ladder out of a tower block window onto their car.
Joseph and Sylvia Mulvey, aged 80 and 75, had left their yellow Hyundai Mika outside their Pendlebury Towers home in Lancashire Hill.
It had its windscreen and roof damaged in the incident and their insurance company has written the car off.
But with its limited insurance value, the couple say they cannot afford to buy even a second-hand replacement. They are now struggling to get out because Sylvia, who has dementia, uses a wheelchair as she also suffers from diabetes.
But new hope has emerged after another resident in the flats set up a gofundme page to buy Joseph and Sylvia a new car.
Police are still investigating the vandalism attack, but kind-hearted local people are now raising cash to help the couple get a new set of wheels.
Their daughter Ali Sproson, 44, of Heaton Moor, said: “Someone threw a set of ladders out of the window and that could have actually killed someone. As much as that is horrific, and that the car has been damaged and written off, it is lovely that someone we don’t know can be so kind as to do this.
“That they would take time to look out for an elderly couple astounded us. It is a really nice gesture and we are very grateful. The car was a lifeline to the outside world.”
The incident took place in the early hours of Saturday, August 5, after which it is believed the culprit retrieved the ladders.
Joseph, a retired central heating engineer, and Sylvia, a former cleaner, regularly used the car to get out and about.
She needs to be taken to hospital on a weekly basis to receive treatment for her diabetes, which means she cannot walk more than around five steps in one go. And Joseph has had to walk to church since he was left without a car.
The gofundme page has pictures of the damage and says: ‘As you can imagine, the couple will now find it very difficult to do basic tasks, so please share this page so that the goal can be reached as soon as possible to be put towards repair/ replacement of the car.’
Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
To help with the fundraising, visit gofundme.com/a-car-for-elderly -vandalism-victims.