RSA helps veteran after scooter misery

Masterton services veteran Ken English, 88. FILE PHOTO

Masterton RSA will pay the insurance excess of Navy veteran Ken English's new scooter after it was stolen last week.

RSA president Bob Hill called Mr English's wife, Selma, yesterday to say the $300 excess would be pulled from welfare funds, which is money received from poppy sales.

Mrs English said she felt "very humbled" and never expected to be the recipient of the donated money that was collected for veterans in need.

"This is why we sit outside in the cold doing it, we never thought we would be the receiver."

Mrs English said she and her husband regularly collected for the RSA, the Red Cross, the Alzheimer's Society and "any other collections we can".

"I thank everyone because the money has come from everyone.

"It's Masterton and Wairarapa people who have contributed and we gratefully accept it."

She said she had been to the Mobility Wairarapa on Queen St and had a look at different options of vehicles for her disabled husband.

Since the theft at the couple's home, Mr English had not been able to leave his house as he relied on the scooter to be mobile.

The scooter was found by police on Thursday, dumped in pieces on Kummer Crescent.

Mrs English said after people had learnt of the incident she had "found there's lots of beautiful people around".

"I've been down town and it's amazing how many people pass comments at me. One woman left a cake for us in our car port this morning, a very kind lady, it was a lovely chocolate cake."

Mrs English said she and her husband were very thankful for everyone's contribution through the RSA.

"I hope we have done some good to expose that there are people out there that would steal from others. There are so many people who are reliant on scooters and if we can help our fellow man well then that's good."