A DISABLED man from Greenock has hailed a mobility shop boss for helping him get back out and about after suffering the tragic loss of a trio of loved ones.
Ronald Fullalove, who has the life-threatening respiratory condition COPD, was in danger of being trapped at home after he had splashed out £4,000 purchasing scooters that he couldn't use.
The 71-year-old feared having to stop going to the fishing club which is his last lifeline as a result.
Ronald has relied on the companionship of his clubmates there since losing his wife Elizabeth, 36-year-old daughter Kerry Anne and then his best friend in the last two years.
But he found himself with no way to get around after being ill-advised and buying the two scooters, one online and the other from a shop.
He said: "They cost about £4,000 but I was unable to use them.
"One got damaged and they wouldn't repair it, even though I only had it for a few months.
"The other one wasn't suitable.
"I used my scooter to go fishing and without it I wasn't able to get home from the waterfront any more."
Ronald, who lives in Grey Place, says fishing has been his lifeline since he lost his wife two years ago from cancer.
He said: "My daughter Kerry Anne couldn't cope and she took her own life in January this year.
"Through it all I was supported by my friend Thomas Brown.
"Thomas was all I had left, he helped me so much and came to see me every day and took me fishing.
"I would be lost without the fishing club now, I don't know what I would do without them."
Facing the prospect of having to give up his lifesaving hobby, Ronald found Mobility Matters on Hamilton Way.
The store is owned by businessman and long time mobility expert Robert Frew, who stepped in to get Mr Fullalove back on the road after hearing his plight.
Robert set up Mobility Matters 20 years ago and opened up recently in the former Mothercare store, which had been used by a previous owner to sell scooters.
He said: "I can't stand to see people like Ronald ripped off, disabled people are vulnerable as it is.
"I decided to set up in Greenock because there was such a huge demand here.
"I kept getting calls from people in the town looking for help, so I decided to expand here.
"I believe in treating people the right way and giving them the best advice and products."
Ronald says he can't thank Mr Frew enough.
He said: "I didn't think there was anything else I could do, but I went in to see Robert and he couldn't have been more helpful.
"He sorted me out with a scooter, servicing and helped me get some money for my other scooter.
"If it wasn't for him I don't know where I would be."
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