Thieves have stolen the artificial legs of a paralympian just days before he is due to walk his sister down the aisle.
Anthony Booth said: “I'm devastated. The limbs are uncomfortable but I wanted to do it for my sister. I wanted it to be the way she wanted.”
The legs and Anthony’s wheelchair were inside his black Vauxhall Astra which was stolen from outside his home in Brixworth Walk in Blackley, Manchester.
The 33-year-old, who hopes to compete for Britain in the 400 and 800 metre wheelchair races at the London 2012 Games, had his legs amputated beneath the knee when he was struck down with severe meningitis at the age of nine,
He has spent the past four months learning to walk on prosthetic legs after his sister Angela asked him to perform the honour on her big day.
Anthony, who competed in the sledge ice hockey event at the 1998 Winter Paralympics in Japan, said: “I'm still going to give her away, but it's not going to be the same. I wanted to do it for her - the way she wanted it.
They could've waited until after the wedding or just thrown them out of the car."
Angela has invited 150 people to her wedding to partner of 20 years Alan Russell at Manchester Town Hall, and was hoping Anthony walking her down the aisle would make her big day extra special.
Anthony, a father of three and who works as a social care adviser, will now use a wheelchair lent to him by a friend - but it means he won't be able to accompany her in the vintage car which has been hired.
Angela, who is to marry her partner of 20 years Alan Russell at Manchester Town Hall on Saturday, said: "It's terrible - I'm really upset. When my dad passed away 12 years ago I always wanted Anthony to walk me down the aisle because we're really close. I asked him when I got engaged in February and he said he'd learn to walk on these limbs.
"He's learned to walk on the limbs without using a stick.
"It's more for him that I'm upset because I know he really wanted to do it. “
"I can't understand why someone would've taken them - I just hope someone hands them in."
Anyone with any information about the theft of the vehicle - reg no MV59 XEM - should call police on 0161 872 5050 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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still make the day special just by being there for your sister on her special day.
The people who stole your car know where it is and very doubtful they will let someone know where it is...in time for the wedding
Sickening. There is obviously no thought and consideration for what they have done. I hope they have a pang of conscience and return them before the wedding. Somehow, I doubt it.
You have to realise that the Greater Manchester Police cannot consider car theft to be very important. They have more important things to see to: stopping shops selling goldfish; stopping butchers selling sausages in pounds and ounces instead of kilohertz; stopping people frowning at gypsies; walking in the Gay Pride March; being multicultural; stamping out genderism; enforcing measures against so-called "global warming" - these are their priorities.
Voter,
What are you going on about?
Voter: homophobic, xenophobic, sexist and racist all rolled into one...nice. Get with the times dear, and realise the inequalities that are perpetuated by these attitudes.
why not publish the reg o fthe car, you never now somebody might just see it and report it.
"I can't understand why someone would've taken them - I just hope someone hands them in."
Anyone with any information about the theft of the vehicle - reg no MV59 XEM - should call police on 0161 872 5050 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
ermmm think they did!!!!!
Voter : "stopping butchers selling sausages in pounds and ounces instead of kilohertz"
What, exactly, is the frequency of a sausage? I'd steer clear of any butcher selling bangers by the frequency, God knows what must be in them.
The selfish person who did this needs to be taken into Albert Square, in front of a very large crowd and publically humiliated and then made to thank God that he has legs to walk on in freedom - Or would that infringe his human rights and scar him for life
But hey Anthony, still make that day special for your sister - You are a pride to your city and an inspiration to us all and you have more guts in your finger nail than that scumbag andcoward who stole your car, wheelchair and legs