An anonymous Southend businessmen has come to the rescue of a woman told she was not disabled enough for an electric wheelchair - despite having had both legs amputated.

The man contacted Gerda Byrne, of Surrey Avenue, Leigh, after reading of her plight.

He said he was so disgusted with her treatment at the hands of Southend Community Care Services NHS Trust that he would find her an electric wheelchair himself.

The trust said due to a slash in funding and increased levels of demand, only those deemed most in need would get an electric wheelchair.

The generous benefactor did not want to leave his name, but told Mrs Byrne he would get back to her as soon as he found a suitable chair.

The next day he called back and said he had found one and was in the process of getting it reconditioned.

Overcome with emotion, Mrs Byrne said she did not know how to thank the man enough for his kindness.

She said: "I would like to thank him very much but I don't know how to. I was crying and kept telling him I could not believe it.

"He told me to believe it because it was true."

Mrs Byrne has had many words of support since the revelation that she was not entitled to a powered wheelchair because she was able to get around her house on her own.

Having suffered from bowel cancer and two hip operations, the 74-year-old has had to have both legs amputated in the past two years because of circulation problems.

She has been left completely housebound and outings are only possible with the help of her diabetic daughter Greta.

Mrs Byrne's wish was to enjoy the outdoors during the summer months.

"It has only been in the past few weeks that I have got depressed and angry because I have not been able to get out and now it is nearly winter again. Hopefully, there will be a few more weeks left of sun when I get my new wheelchair."

A spokeswoman for the Southend Community Care Services NHS Trust said: "The therapists and the wheelchair service can now only help people with the highest clinical need - the levels of which have been agreed by the clinical staff and the health authority."

Lib Dem Blenheim councillor Chris Mallam said: "If anyone is entitled not to be housebound it is Mrs Byrne and I am very pleased there has been such an enormous response.

"I hope there will be more flexibility in the guidelines for assessing this type of case because no-one deserves to be housebound."

Emotional - Mrs Byrne waits for her new electric wheelchair

Picture: MAXINE CLARKE

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