A paralysed former jockey has been left ‘devastated’ after her car, containing vital specialist equipment, was stolen. Friends have launched an urgent appeal for Sarah Gaisford, who was paralysed from the chest down following a horrific racing fall at Exeter in 2007.
The Theft
Sarah, from Buckfastleigh in Devon, had her blue Volkswagen Golf Estate R-Line 1.5 eTSI, registration number WF25 SDO, stolen. Inside the vehicle were her specialised wheelchair, which she uses for tennis, and her rackets. The wheelchair is not replaceable in any normal sense, as it represents her independence, sport, freedom, and daily life.
Impact on Sarah’s Life
Sarah has rebuilt her life after her accident to become one of Britain’s leading wheelchair tennis players, attaining a top ten ranking and competing internationally. She said: “I am absolutely devastated and in shock. This theft has taken everything from me that I need to live a fulfilling and healthy life. It’s my socialisation as well. Tennis has given me a purpose, a goal and something to focus on. I just hope the car and my chair turns up and I can get back to my life again.”
Appeal for Information
A Facebook appeal urged people to check CCTV, dashcams, lanes, lay-bys, and car parks around South Devon, as the specialist wheelchair or mobility equipment may have been dumped. Anyone with information or sightings of the specialist equipment is urged to contact Devon and Cornwall Police, quoting crime reference number 50260124473. The appeal also asked for shares across the racing world, tennis clubs, disability sport groups, and Devon communities.
