Unusual Valentines gift for keen fisherman
One man got a Valentine's gift he wasn't expecting when his wife presented him with a mobility scooter she won in a competition.
John Shuttleworth, aged 76, was given the gift by his wife Margaret, aged 73, after she was awarded the scooter by Easy Living Mobility in a competition run in partnership with the Express & Star.
Mrs Shuttleworth wanted to give the gift to her husband due to his failing health, to allow him to retain his independence.
"I was so surprised," Mrs Shuttleworth, a former secretary, said. "I have never won anything before. I just saw the competition advertised in the paper and I thought I would have a go. I did not believe it when I got the call, I had to ask the lady who called and told me to make sure she had the right person.
"I wanted to get it for John. Not for him to become reliant on it but to help him get around and let him keep his independence."
Mr and Mrs Shuttleworth, who live in Grange Road, Coseley, were awarded the scooter at the shop in the Churchill Centre in Dudley on Friday.
"John was a little taken aback at first," Mrs Shuttleworth said. "But then he warmed up to it and he was very happy. It was just what he needed."
Mrs Shuttleworth said with her new found luck she may try her hand at a few other competitions.
"This was all for John," she said. "I would like to get something for myself next."
The director of the store, Nathan Bevan, aged 30, said he was happy to award the scooter to Mr and Mrs Shuttleworth.
"We wanted to run the competition to celebrate the opening of our newest superstore in Walsall, so we put it in the paper and we had such a great response," Mr Bevan said. "There were more than 800 entries.
"We were so happy to give the scooter to Mr and Mrs Shuttleworth. I know Mr Shuttleworth has had some problems with his health recently and this will allow him to retain his independence.
"Most of all, I know he is a keen fisherman, so this will be a great benefit and let him get back to doing what he loves."
