A READER has been so touched by the plight of an Otley mum and her severely disabled son he has offered them his own winter fuel money.

Karen Pinder sometimes has to keep the heating on for up to 20 hours a day to keep 21-year-old Matthew, who was born with multiple disabilities, warm.

But soaring fuel prices have meant she simply can't afford to keep the fire on as much as it's needed.

Mrs Pinder recently went public to highlight the need for the Government to extend the Winter Fuel Payments paid to the over-60s to disabled adults - a campaign pursued by Otley MP Greg Mulholland.

She was flabbergasted when a Wharfedale Observer reader anonymously offered her his £200 winter fuel payment.

Mrs Pinder said: "This man, who made the offer just after Christmas, doesn't want to be named or anything and is from a long way away but says he read about it in the Wharfedale.

"I'm not usually a very emotional person but this man's letter and generosity reduced me to tears, I've never had an experience of that unselfish kindness before.

"But it also makes me feel awkward and bad, that a complete stranger who was perfectly entitled to this money as he's over 60, is doing what the Government isn't.

"He says he doesn't consider it a gift, but a transfer of state funds as he doesn't need it and we do. But I feel a bit guilty because the last thing I wanted by going public was to look as if I was begging - I wasn't, I was trying to make the point that these payments should be going to people according to their need. I don't know yet if we'll accept it but anyway I've managed to track him down to thank him, as I didn't want someone who was showing such compassionate concern to be a stranger."

The Pinders have had one other piece of good news too, as it now looks like they will receive help from a Government-funded scheme to provide central heating and insulation to qualifying households.

Mrs Pinder said: "We were refused help to get central heating last year, because Matthew is over 16, but I picked up a leaflet from Warmfront (the Government backed initiative) the other week and thought we fit some of the criteria listed here'.

"So I called them and was told by a very nice lady that we should never have been refused and now it looks like we're going to get central heating, it could take up to six months, but it's great. I have to say it's been a really great start to the New Year!"

Mr Mulholland said: "It's great to see the effect the piece in the Wharfedale has had and it's been very helpful for the campaign."