Birmingham surgeon's stolen operating glasses returned overnight

Ehab Bishay is a cardiothoracic surgeon in Birmingham and was on call last weekend when his car was taken, along with his operating loupes and surgical instruments, a GoFundMe page set up for him says.

He was scheduled to perform operations on two patients with lung cancer but they had to be cancelled.

The price to replace the loupes - a magnification device used to see small details more closely - is more than £4,000, and more than £2,700 was raised in donations in two days.

But in the latest update on the fundraising page, it said Mr Bishay's loupes and surgical equipment had been "left on his doorstep during the night" and that he would either return the money donated or give it to charity.

Monisha Rajesh's original post on the fundraising page says: "A couple of days ago a cardiothoracic surgeon in Birmingham had his car stolen, inside of which were his operating loupes and his surgical instruments.

"Loupes are the custom-made magnifying glasses that surgeons use, each of which is completely useless to another person.

"Mr Ehab Bishay was on call this weekend, supposed to be operating on two patients with lung cancer, but had to cancel both operations because he can't operate without his loupes.

"The company which makes the loupes is doing its best to get a new pair to him soon so that he can go back to operating, however the price to replace the loupes is £4,268.40 including VAT.

"Given how much the frontline of the NHS is fighting to protect all our lives in such horrific circumstances, and how we as a country are showing our gratitude by clapping every Thursday, how about we do something practical to show how grateful we are to people like Mr Bishay, and help him fund his new loupes so that he can swiftly go back to saving lives..."

Monisha added: "A recent update: the car insurance company and the car lease company have washed their hands of the issue and yet he's being required to pay the lease until the end of the year, so anything towards this cause would be so gratefully received."

The latest update says: "Wonderful news! This morning Mr Bishay woke to find his loupes and all his surgical equipment had been left on his doorstep during the night.

"He's so grateful for everyone's kindness and help in finding his things and would like to return your donations unless you're happy for him to donate the funds to Macmillan Cancer - his charity of choice. Please do let me know what you would prefer."

For more information, or to donate, visit gofundme.com/f/help-mr-bishay-get-his-loupes