Multiple Sclerosis sufferer hit by cruel thieves

Saddles, bridles, helmets and boots, wheelbarrows and a spare set of keys all went missing when thieves struck the premises in Upper Haugh.

The raid has left horse-loving multiple sclerosis sufferer Alison Ive “deeply upset” and piled emotional pressure onto the 39-year-old, who credits her animals with improving her condition over recent years.

Alison, of Rawmarsh, said: “I’m not a very strong person because of my condition. I suffer from fatigue and my balance isn’t very good.

“This whole thing has really set me back. I feel utterly exhausted with it all.”

Alison was advised to take up horse riding by her doctor three years ago as a way of improving her balance.

Despite the severity of her multiple sclerosis preventing regular riding lessons at a specialist riding school for people with disabilities, she believes that simply spending time with her animals has done wonders.

She said: “I have recurrent bouts of multiple sclerosis which leave me wheelchair bound but these have really subsided since I had the horses.

“It’s the same with my epilepsy.

“Even though I can’t really ride them they have really given me something that I could never put a price on.”

Alison keeps her two horses, Danny and recently adopted Millie, in a field off Wentworth Road. She discovered that the stone-built stables had been broken into when she found the locks on her tack store broken at around 1.30 am last Thursday.

Police are investigating the theft and have helped Alison to boost security.

Alison said: “I’m just glad the horses were out grazing in the field. They would have been really upset if they’d been in the stables when they were broken into.”

Anyone with information about the raid should contact the police on 0114 220 2020, quoting reference 404 of  August 17.