Newly divorced millionaire Heather Mills apparently made an offer to a disabled young Russian mother, who has now gone to the media to "out" the alleged Indian giver, Mills.
04/11/2008 - Heather Mills - 57th Annual Miss USA Competition - Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts at Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino - Las Vegas, NV, USA © PRN / PR Photos
Mills allegedly promised Maria Rybkina a set of prosthetic legs to replace hers, lost in a freak accident.
The News of the World reports that "Mucca" the nickname British press have bestowed on Mills, allegedly made an offer of $20,000 to provide new artificial legs for the young Russian mother disabled in a train accident.
The news claims it was all a farce, as Maria Rybkina is still legless.
Mills' allegedly told Maria: "I will help buy you legs like mine. I will help you walk again."
Now after the photo opportunity, Mills is flush with Sir Paul's dosh (cash) and US bound and Maria is begging in the streets of Russia.
The NOTW reports that a British couple, The Barratts, have taken up Maria's cause in wake of the Mills' mess. They contend after introducing Mills' to Maria, who lost her legs as a child falling from a train, Mills has been persona non grata.
"But every single promise she made fell flat. In the end, she never did anything at all," say the Barratts.
Allegedly, Maria makes her way now by wheeling on the street on a cardboard covered skateboard. She survived all this time by begging. Robin Barratt told NOTW: "Her life was miserable yet she was always smiling and cheerful. We felt compelled to help her and decided the only way to get her off the streets was to enable her to walk."
"Heather said she would personally get Maria some really good artificial legs, which would cost around $10,000, and cosmesis—the silicone cosmetic covering—which would be another $10,000.
A concert Paul was playing in Russian facilitated "Mucca" meeting Maria, and posing for photos for local papers there.
"I will pay for Maria's costs agreed in advance and paid directly to the clinic. Please email me the price." Read one email from Heather: "Email me costs individually and I'll get money to you."
The Barratts claim to NOTW that was the end of it from Heather, and have not heard from her for two years.
The couple has rallied corporations and individuals to donate money, and now Maria is in her own apartment, and has a set of legs.
"Today Maria is no longer begging on the streets. She has a flat, drives and works part time as a nanny—and has learned to dance. Our legs have transformed her life."
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