Family's holiday ruined

They were visiting Rosie Wheldal of Collinswood Drive who called the Observer to say: "I am embarrassed and angry."

It will cost 550.00 now to repair the Vauxhall Zafira which was dented and scratched by a shopping trolley.

Rosie was "disgusted" this should happen to her friends during their stay in Bexhill.

This was a much-needed break for the Pearson family whose seven year old daughter Lucy suffers congenital heart disease.

The couple also have two younger ones, Alice and Ben.

Lucy had a transplant last year which was her only chance of survival and since then her health has stabilised.

However while in Bexhill she came down with an infection in the Hickman line site - this is the point of entry for a semi-permanent line which administers drugs - and immediate help was needed.

The on-call weekend doctor told her parents, Bev and Stephen, that Lucy's prescription would be left at the pharmacy in Tesco.

They picked it up, having parked in the disabled bay outside Curry's, and took the opportunity to food shop as they were camping out at Norman's Bay.

When they returned they found their Vauxhall Zafira had been damaged by a shopping trolley which had either rolled against the boot or been pushed.

Bev said: "There was a dent in the boot lid and the paint had been scraped off the bumper.

"I was very upset - almost in tears."

They discovered from Ravenside security that CCTV did not cover the disabled bays outside Curry's, then went to Tesco's customer services to fill out a damage report. They have received a sympathetic letter from head office which nevertheless makes the point that cars are always parked at their owner's risk.

"I am very irritated," said Bev, now back at home.

"I would not go back. We would go to see Rosie of course because she has been such a fantastic support to us but I certainly would not go to that shopping centre again.

"I suppose people don't like other people having nice things now, do they?

"And after everything we have been through with Lucy...what can you say?"

The family will now have to find the estimated 549.90 needed to repair the damage themselves.

The Zafira is a Motability car which they are even more aware of taking care of, as they must return it in the condition they received it or face loseing their deposit.

Rosie said: "Whoever did this, I hope they can live with themselves knowing they damaged a disabled vehicle. That vehicle is a lifeline for Lucy who still has to visit various hospitals at frequent intervals. I am disgusted...where is the good will here?"