Life was already hard for Chilliwack’s Ron Walker before a thief stole his only mode of transportation.
Last Friday, the 48 year old left his electric scooter locked in the underground parking area of his apartment building on Edward Street near Hodgins Avenue. Walker thought he was being extra cautious using two locks instead of one, but it wasn’t enough to prevent someone from cutting through two chains and leaving with the scooter.
When Walker found out that it was gone, he was devastated. He didn’t have insurance for the scooter because he’s on disability and couldn’t afford it.
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“I saved up for it for five years because I need one to get to appointments and shopping, and it was my only transportation,” said Walker, who has a heart problem and has difficulties with his legs due to type-one diabetes. “I don’t know what to do now. It feels like my world is lost. I can’t do anything, and it’s getting more depressing not being able to get outside.
“I wanted to have my own transportation to get around so I wouldn’t be a burden to anybody.”
Walker’s cousin, Barb Cross, says Walker has a “heart of gold,” and she has set up a GoFundMe account titled ‘Bad things do happen to good people,’ with a fundraising goal of $3,500.
“My heart truly breaks because he’s such a kind and gentle soul,” she wrote on the GoFundMe page. “He needs this desperately. It’s bad enough theses days with all the limits because of COVID-19, but for this to happen on top of it all, is truly sad.”
Walker may be familiar to fans of the Chilliwack Chiefs as he volunteers with the “best hockey team.”
He also volunteers in the summer at the Chilliwack Fair.
“I hope to do it again this year if the COVID-19 virus clears up soon,” he said.
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eric.welsh@theprogress.com
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