Strangers come to the rescue of dad whose bike was stolen from Wigan Infirmary

Paul Roe was devastated to discover his new bike had been taken from Wigan Infirmary last Tuesday and feared he would no longer be able to travel from his home in Abram to see little daughter Betsy.

She was born at 26 weeks on May 6, weighing just 2lb 2oz, and is making good progress in hospital.

After reading about what had happened on the Post’s Wigan Today website, Swinley dad Nigel Brookwell wanted to step in and help.

Nigel said: “I read this and my blood was just boiling. It’s disgusting, to take it from this poor lad in his circumstances.

“I thought I could do something about that. Before I had finished my breakfast I sent a few messages and made a few calls and it was wrapped up. I was going to buy it myself.”

Nigel phoned Halfords in Wigan to see what bicycles were available to buy, but manager Greg Hurst decided donate a bicycle for Paul.

The soaring popularity of cycling during the coronavirus lockdown meant he did not have many bicycles available. However, there was an Apollo Phaze bike which had been designated for use by staff but remained untouched.

Greg said: “Nigel asked if we could discount something or find a bike for him. We thought we could do more than that.

“Paul has had a hard bit of luck. It’s probably quite a small thing for us to be able to offer that bike, but it will make a massive difference to him. It feels like the right thing to do.”

Nigel phoned Wigan Infirmary and told Paul’s partner Emma Yearsley, who was visiting Betsy, that he had managed to secure a bike.

Paul, 29, who is currently furloughed from his job as a tyre technician, was delighted to receive the new bicycle.

He has already used it to cycle to the hospital and has a stronger lock to prevent it being stolen, which was given to him by his brother.

Paul said: “I’m really pleased. I can get to the hospital now.

“I want to say thank you very much to Nigel and Greg for the bike.”

Paul reported the theft of his original bike to the police and anyone with information about what happened is asked to call them on 101.

It was a blue and white Boardman bike, with a blue and black seat and new light blue hand grips, and had been locked to railings on the hospital site.

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