A MUM is raising a glass to East Lancs brewers Thwaites after the firm donated a new wheelchair.

Julie Stowell, 38, of Carter Avenue, Hapton, was left unable to get around after the family car was torched by yobs on Boxing Day, with her wheelchair inside.

Mother-of-two Mrs Stowell, who suffered a stroke 18 months ago, was told it could take up to six weeks to be supplied with a new chair from social services, but was inundated with offers of help after her story appeared in the Lancashire Telegraph.

Her husband Mark, 40, had to abandon their car on moors above Hapton on Boxing Day after it ran out of petrol. He returned to find it burned out.

Thwaites was the first firm to get in touch with an offer of help, and bosses there told the couple to pick out a new chair, with the company's charitable trust footing the bill.

Mr Stowell said: "We managed to get the new one for £229.

"It's a similar model to the old one but it's much lighter, which is great for me because I'm the one who has to carry it around!

"It's an absolutely fantastic chair. It's been a godsend and we're over the moon with it.

"It's been very difficult managing without one, especially when we still haven't got a proper mobility car sorted yet - and going the full six weeks would have been awful for Julie."

Thwaites managing director Paul Baker said: "We were very saddened when we read the news of Mrs Stowell's plight and we wanted to do all we could to help.

"Our charitable trust, which has helped hundreds of worthy causes, seemed the perfect vehicle and we are delighted that, as a result of our efforts, Mrs Stowell is now mobile again."