THE community’s generosity has enabled a man whose mobility scooter was stolen from his Flora Hill home to move on. 

Allan Needs, 87, thanked all those who had assisted him for their “tremendous” support. 

A fundraiser by the Kangaroo Flat Football-Netball Club made a substantial dent in the price of a new travel scooter, to replace the one that was stolen in late July.

Mr Needs said the club and an anonymous donor each contributed additional funding.

The new scooter has already made its inaugural trip on the bus – something Mr Needs isn’t able to do with his larger gopher.

“That’s a really nice scooter, the new one,” he said.

“I’d like to thank the club.”

He said people were asking him about his scooter for months after the story of its theft was reported.

“Did you get your new scooter, mate?” people would ask him whenever they saw him.

Police have yet to find the red Shoprider QT-8 ‘Little Beauty’ that was reported stolen on July 21.

The thieves left the Somerville Street address without the charger and keys.

To reduce the likelihood of being targeted a second time, Mr Needs has invested in security cameras.

Speaking to the Bendigo Advertiser in July, he described the theft as “ridiculous”.

“I thought it was a joke in the morning,” Mr Needs said. 

“I went to cards and it still wasn’t in.”

Bendigo police have asked that anyone with information about the location of the original scooter call the station on 5448 1300.