KIND Bolton folk are rallying round to help a young asthma victim after thieves stole a vital machine to help him breathe. As reported in the BEN, raiders trashed the home of Joanne Hurst and made off with her son, Gareth's, nebuliser. 0 The burglars even stole children's piggy banks from the house in Jedburgh Avenue, Heaton.

Joanne says the nebuliser - which uses gas vapour to open the airways - could mean the difference between life and death for Gareth.

His mum could not afford a replacement machine, which can cost as much as £160.

But now, generous readers have come to the rescue after learning of Gareth's plight.

Paul Deady, of Addington Road, Fernhill Gate, made a special journey into town to drop off one of the machines at the BEN offices.

The nebuliser had belonged to his mum, June, but she never used it.

Paul, 38, said: "It's horrible to watch asthma sufferers when they're trying to breathe. They have to gulp for air.

"I've no idea how much the nebuliser is worth but the money doesn't matter as long as it helps the little lad."

Pensioner Tom Whitlow, of Rushey Fold Lane, Halliwell, also rang to offer a £100 nebuliser.

Mr Whitlow, 76, an asthma sufferer for 20 years, said: "It's terrible to think that someone stole the poor little blighter's nebuliser.

"They probably still don't realise its importance. As soon as I had read about it I decided to offer him one of mine.

"I bought it when my original nebuliser was being repaired. You just can't afford to be without one of these machines. They make such a difference when you've had an attack."

Gareth's mum is overwhelmed with the offers of help.

Joanne said: "Lots of people have contacted me and my mum to offer us a nebuliser.

"It's comforting to know that there's another side to human nature.

"The response has been staggering and I can't begin to thank everyone enough who has tried to help."

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