Readers give cash to help Samaritan bike theft victim (From Bournemouth Echo)

Readers give cash to help Samaritan bike theft victim

5:00pm Saturday 19th January 2013 in News By Alex Winter

GENEROUS Daily Echo readers have donated hundreds of pounds to a teenager whose bike was stolen as he helped in the aftermath of a car crash.

Sam Hooper, 15, of Muscliffe Lane, was left upset after his £500 Mongoose Tyax was stolen in late December.

The kind-hearted boy was riding home just after midnight when he witnessed a collision near Fiveways in Charminster Road, and he stopped to call an ambulance for a woman involved.

However, when he turned round, he realised his bike had been stolen as he helped.

After his story appeared in the Echo on January 11, two anonymous readers have stepped forward to offer money to help, with one giving enough to buy a brand new bike.

His mum Josie was in tears when she heard the news, and said: “Someone has written to Sam to offer him £100 towards a new bike.

“Now to hear another person has sent enough to buy him a new bike – it’s overwhelming. We didn’t mean for anyone to give us money, but it’s just amazing that people have done this. I’m sat at my desk crying because it’s just so wonderful.”

The family has been scouring internet adverts to try and track down Sam’s bike, which he was given for his birthday.

Shortly after he received the present, which his mum called his “pride and joy”, he was hit by a car in Charminster Road, suffering a serious cut to his chin which needed six stitches to close.

The repairs to the bike after the collision cost around £300, which was covered by insurance.

Mrs Hooper said: “I’m really touched. Words can’t explain what this means to us. Sam was saying he’d use the £100 someone so kindly gave us to improve his rubbish old bike, but to hear he could get a new one is just unbelievable.

“I want to say a huge thank you to these amazing people.”