Readers rush to the rescue

Two people offered to replace a stolen bicycle belonging to the brother of an eight-month-old boy who needs a bone-marrow transplant.

The offers were made after the Advertiser reported the theft last week.

The stolen cycle has now been returned to the family after being recovered by police.

The family said they could not afford to replace the cycle belonging to Morgan Giles (8) because they were saving for when his half-brother, Jacob Giles, of Lowfield Lane, Balderton, goes to London’s Great Ormond Street Hospital for treatment.

A bicycle belonging to Mr David Giles, Jacob’s father, was also stolen and was also returned by police on Friday.

The cycles were recovered by Pc Simon Brooks who saw a youth riding a cycle that he did not believe belonged to him. The second cycle was recovered later. The youth was arrested.

Sergeant Andy Knight said: “It is particularly pleasing, given the sensitivities of this case, that the cycles were found and returned to their owners quickly.”

Mrs Suzanne Thorpe of Devon Road, Newark, was one of those who offered to replace Morgan’s cycle.

She said they had bought their son, Alex (10) a new cycle for his birthday and offered his old one to Morgan.

Mrs Thorpe said Alex thought it was a nice idea.

Mr Matthew Marshall of Rosewood Close, Newark, also contacted the Advertiser and offered to buy Morgan a new bicycle.

“My son had his stolen and he was very upset but fortunately his grandad bought him a new one,” said Mr Marshall.

“It’s not nice that people steal things like this.”

Jacob has Wiscott-Aldrich syndrome. His parents, Mr Giles and Miss Vicky Tasker, have been told his only chance of survival is a bone-marrow transplant.

Miss Tasker said she was grateful for the offers to replace Morgan’s cycle and had spoken to both people to thank them. She said they had also thanked the police.

She said: “Morgan was very pleased. He is a little bit wary in case somebody sees the bikes, but he will get over that.

“It is great for David to have his back. I need the car in case we have to go to the hospital, so he relies on that bike.”