John Odgers, 75, was moved to tears this afternoon when he said he had been overwhelmed by the generosity of strangers in the city, who in just one

morning donated the money for the purchase of a brand new scooter to replace the one stolen from his garage overnight Wednesday.

''I'm not a religious man but I'm going to say a prayer for each and every one of them who have been so kind to me,'' he said.

''I didn't ask for it and I didn't want it but I just feel so humbled. I was happy with what I got but these beautiful people around, strangers, have helped me out in this time of despair.

''I couldn't believe how many people could be so kind.''

Mr Odgers was initially adamant he would not accept donations to replace his scooter, his only mode of transport as he awaits knee replacement surgery, but said people around him had convinced him to accept the acts of generosity.

''I just couldn't believe anyone would be so good and kind to me and people have said to me, 'John, if you don't accept it you will hurt our feelings' so I had to.''

Mr Odgers, whose partner of 35 years, Ballarat identity Joyce Quiddington died three months ago, described the theft of the scooter as ''gut-wrenching'' saying it had robbed him of his independence.

Within hours however, Sebastopol business Aztec Mobility Control Solutions had donate him a second hand scooter, and by midday today, the funds to purchase a brand new one had been raised.

''I didn't expect a brand new scooter but I'm going to accept it through this crisis,'' he said.

''Even Joyce, I've asked her and she said, ``take it, don't hurt their feelings''.

''How lovely they all are.''