A NEW scheme organised by Ryedale Lions Club has provided a new lease of life for residents with mobility problems.

The club maintains and loans more than 50 scooters in north Ryedale and for one group of users, who all live in and around Manor Close, Kirkbymoorside, it has meant a new lease of life.

Nora Thurlow, who is 81, said that without a scooter she would not get anywhere.

“Now I can get to the shops for myself and a poorly friend and I can go out and enjoy a game of bingo too,” she said.

Fellow resident Les Maw said that being given a scooter had transformed his life and now he was out regularly enjoying the social life at the Kirkbymoorside Golf Club and seeing friends.

Before taking delivery of a scooter, Valerie Nurse had been housebound. Now she says she is a lady who lunches, and is out and about in the town with neighbour and fellow scooter user Kathleen Humpleby, while Sylvia Habron, who has difficulty walking, no longer finds it a problem to get to the shops or the doctor’s surgery, thanks to a scooter.

The Lions Club was also approached by Ann Micklethwaite, who saw her neighbours enjoying the benefits of a scooter.

Ann Micklethwaite has a weak heart but a suitable bike could not be found for her due to her weight. She said: “I was desperate for help and in 18 months I lost three stone and then rang the Lions again. Now I am able to enjoy life more fully.”

Ryedale Lions Club has bought and maintained the scooter fleet for about 20 years. The oldest users are in their 90s and the youngest is in her 40s.

Lions member John Leconby, from Great Edstone, has run and maintained the fleet for more than 12 years.

When he took over there were just five scooters but word has spread and many of the bikes are now donated by other users and refurbished by John.

He now covers more than 1,600 miles a year carrying out maintenance and is the fleet’s own breakdown patrol man, with punctures one of the common problems he is called to deal with.

John said: “It is a real pleasure to see how such a simple bit of help can stop many people becoming housebound and restore their confidence and independence.”

The scooters are distributed in the north of Ryedale in and around Pickering to Helmsley, subject to availability and taking into account the person’s individual needs and merits.

More scooters are also welcomed by the club.

Anyone interested in donating a scooter or who would like one, can phone the Ryedale Lions Club secretary, Geoff Otterburn, on 01751 473166.