A Letchworth shop assistant is appealing for the public’s help to replace a wheelchair motor which will enable a severely disabled man to get out and about for the first time in three years.

The Comet: James Trezza is unable to walk or talk and is cared for by his mother Elaine full-time.James Trezza is unable to walk or talk and is cared for by his mother Elaine full-time. (Image: Archant)

Tony Jackson pledged to raise £1,000 when he heard James Trezza, who is 100 per cent dependent, has barely left the house since the motor on his wheelchair broke in 2011.

James has cerebral palsy, developmental delays, epilepsy and severe learning difficulties, which means he cannot walk or talk.

The 23-year-old enjoyed being taken around town by his mother Elaine prior to the motor breaking during a trip out – leaving the pair stranded until a passerby rescued them.

Elaine, who has been caring for James full-time since birth but had to give up her part-time job 5½ years ago, is unable to push the chair manually as she suffers from back problems.

Elaine and husband Tony did manage to get some money together to buy a replacement earlier this year but plans were put on hold after he suffered a heart attack – which meant he was unable to work.

Elaine said: “Life has a way of kicking your feet from under you. Circumstances keep putting us back to square one.

“To remember the pleasure on his face when you walk him up the road and he’s looking at the trees, you know how much he must be missing things.”

Tony Jackson decided to set up a charity giving page online and will be holding a Christmas raffle after meeting James’ parents at the e-cigarette shop in Letchworth town centre where he works.

He said: “The family need a break after this year.

“If I can help give that break, then that’s great. It would be a massive help to them.”

Elaine said it would be ‘unbelievable’ if Tony raised the £1,000 needed to buy a motor for the specialised wheelchair.

She said: “It seems like a pipe dream, it would be so amazing.

“It’s such a simple thing, but if you could see the smile on his face when he goes for a walk, you could understand how important it is for him and the family.”

To make a donation visit www.justgiving.com/yimby/jamestrezzafund. For more about the raffle log on to www.facebook.com/charity.raffle2014.