A MAN suffering from a rare neurological condition has been given back his freedom thanks to a new mobility scooter donated by his community.

Steven Foot from Marnhull, near Sturminster Newton, lives with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia, a rare condition affecting one in 10,000 people. It causes severe mobility difficulties from the waist down and there is no known cure.

But customers and staff at The Old Thatch pub near Wimborne have joined together in raising £5,000 to purchase Mr Foot a TGA Breeze off-road scooter – the same model that won BBC’s Top Gear’s extreme mobility scooter challenge.

Mr Foot will now be able to navigate local rural tracks and fields on his scooter; something the Dorset rambler and former equestrian business owner has sorely missed since his condition worsened.

He said he was “overwhelmed” by the generosity of his local community and friends.

“I cannot thank everyone enough for changing my life. I’ve missed my contact with horses and animals so much in recent years, whereas now this Breeze will open up my beloved outdoor lifestyle once more.”

The funds were raised from a sponsored skydive by pub staff and relatives, collections and car washing at The Old Thatch. The Sturminster Newton Round Table also made a generous donation, helping the HSP Support Group to purchase the scooter and organise a presentation to Mr Foot at the pub.

Ian Bennett, HSP Support Group Chairman, said: “When we organised the surprise party and presentation at the pub for Steven, his reaction on arrival was priceless.

“This scooter will change his life no end, as Steven is now free to drive around the countryside and is already planning to attend point-to-point events once more.

“As the HSP Support Group is a national charity, we will now be rolling out similar fundraising activities across the country whilst raising awareness of the condition.”