Granddaughter sets up fundraiser after a great-grandad has his £1,000 bike stolen while shopping

An online fundraiser has been started in honour of an great-grandad after his electric bike was stolen while he was shopping in Marks & Spencer in Sunderland town centre.

86-year-old Robert Paterson made the discovery yesterday (Wednesday, May 27) after he had finished shopping, leaving him stranded in city centre.

The incident has prompted granddaugher Natasha Maidment, 37, to start raising money for a replacement.

She told the Echo about how the idea to start the fundraiser came about.

Natasha said: “I just began sharing what had happened on Facebook to try and get the message out there in case anyone hears about an electric bike for sale.

“As more people shared the post, I began receiving messages from people I didn’t even know asking if they could donate some money to buy a replacement.

“I’ve never done anything like this before so I decided to set one up, we have got nothing to lose.”

At the time of writing, the fundraiser currently stands at £935 – with a target of £1,300 which will go towards a new bike.

Natasha spoke about the moment she revealed what she had done to her grandad.

She added: “He was totally overwhelmed when I showed him all the support, he lives by himself and that bike was his lifeline and only means to get out and about.

“He only thought I had shared the post on Facebook and didn’t know anything about the fundraiser.

“He said that it has totally restored his faith in humanity”.

It is the latest incident relating to the theft of a bike, earlier this month, thieves stole an electric bike from a Sunderland postwoman.

Northumbria Police are asking members of the public to come forward if they have any information relating to the incident.

A spokesperson for the force said: “We are appealing for information after a pedal bike, belonging to an 86-year-old male, was stolen from outside Marks and Spencer, Sunderland.

"It was reported the bike had been left secured outside the store on High Street when it was taken between 1.50pm and 2.35pm on Wednesday (May, 27).

“The offender has then made off from the scene.

"Officers are keen to trace the bike and return it the owner and ask anyone with information to come forward and get in touch via our online reporting tool quoting log 624 270520."

Bike company “Pluginbikes” has agreed to reserve a replacement for Robert, with a discount of over £400 to be added after hearing about the fundraising page.

They are even throwing in a free basket so he will be able to continue to do his shopping.

If you wish to donate to the fundraiser, you can do so by clicking here.

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