Care worker launches fundraiser for pensioner, 84, after thug stole his bike from Asda car park in Boldon Colliery
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An 84-year-old man was left ‘devastated’ after a thug rode off on his bike in the car park at Asda, Boldon Colliery - and then heckled him as they fled the scene.
The pensioner, who lives in South Shields, left the shop at around 3pm on Monday, April 27 when a male - dressed in a dark hoodie - cycled past on a pedal bike and sarcastically shouted ‘Cheers mate’ to him.
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Hide AdConfused, he made his way to the bike shed to go home, before realising his bike had been stolen.
He said: “I was devastated when I realised my bike was gone. It was my pride and joy, I used it almost every day for journeys that I couldn’t manage on foot.
“I had no choice but to walk home with heavy bags of shopping after it had been stolen.
“The bike had all my personalised bits and pieces on such as the rear view mirror and water bottle carrier.
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Hide Ad“I really hope anyone who knows where it is or who took it can forward as I would love to get it back, it was my only mode of transport.”
Now, after reading his story, a kindhearted care worker has launched a Go Fund Me page in a bid to raise the money to replace his bike.
Victoria Fenwick, 38, was so moved by the story she says she had to try and help.
“It really affected me, I work in care and have elderly grandparents around the same age, to think that someone would do that to him - targeting his only means of transport,” said the mum-of-four.
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Hide Ad“Communities are supposed to come together and support each other in times like this.”
Victoria, who works as a care coordinator for Bluebird Care in Boldon, has already raised more than £50 of her £350 target, in just a few hours.
“It’s admirable that he was out and about at his age,” she continued.
“Times are hard and pensioners don’t have the money to replace things like that.
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Hide Ad“I’d like to think we could raise enough to get him a voucher so him or his relatives could go and choose a new bike.”
Officers investigating the theft have appealed for anyone with information to contact the police.
PC Alan Morton, of Northumbria Police, said: “This is an appalling example of an opportunist thief showing a total disregard for the law and the welfare of a vulnerable member of the public.
“It is especially disappointing that somebody could do this at a time when the overwhelming majority of people are pulling together and going above and beyond to look those most in need across our communities.
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Hide Ad“We are determined to locate the bike and return it to the owner. We would now ask anybody with information – no matter how small – to come forward.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact officers via the ‘Tell Us Something’ page on the force's website quoting reference number 787 03/05/20.