A woman from Bedmond has said she has been given a new lease of life, after a charitable organisation donated a mobility scooter to her.

Following an accident aged 18, Zoe Gott, of Woodland Way, has suffered for more than 16 years from acute back pain and sciatica.

The 34-year-old had relied on her wheelchair and husband Tony’s strength to get around the village, as she is unable to walk further than 60 yards.

But after writing to the Abbots Langley Tough Ten Committee in October, the mother-of-three has been given a brand new mobility scooter.

She explained: “My uncle originally gave me my aunt’s old scooter, which was getting on - it was about 15 years old and didn’t work.

“After seeing how the committee had helped other residents and community groups in the past, I wrote to them, asking if they would fund the repair and install a cupboard to house it in.

“Money is tight for us, so we couldn’t afford to do it ourselves, I can’t work and my husband is my full-time carer.”

Repairmen discovered that Mrs Gott’s own scooter could not be fixed, so the committee decided to pay for a brand new one using money raised by participants running in the Abbots Langley Tough Ten in October.

Mrs Gott said: “The repair company said the scooter was like something off of the Antiques Roadshow, in fact they discovered a bird’s nest underneath it.

“Then the committee came to my rescue, offering to pay for a new one- they won’t tell me how much it cost, but I imagine it’s over £1,000.

“And a local shed company decided to donate a garden shed to put it in.

“It was like all my Christmases had come at once. To a degree it felt like I was missing out on my children having fun and growing up, being stuck in the wheelchair.

“But now, along with my husband, I can take my three children to the park, and not have to wait behind in the car.

“It’s given me a new lease of life, a sense of independence. I can’t repay them enough and I’ll be spurring my kids and my husband on to take part in the annual race next year.”

Alison Warner, committee secretary, added: “All the runners who took part can be proud that they have helped a local person fulfil their dream.

“We hope that many more young people and adults will run in next year’s race on Sunday, October 2, so that more dreams can come true.”