Christmas bike joy for family thanks to kindness of strangers

Andrew Wright and his children Liam and Naomi have been presented with brand new bikes and accessories after one kind gesture grew into a community effort.

It began with the donation of a teenager's bike by Phil Turrell, owner of Hednesford’s Lower Road Service Centre, after he won it in a contest.

He donated it to Phoenix, the St Giles Hospice bereavement service for children and young people, after a St Giles worker saw a post of Phil's on Facebook.

The Wrights, whose wife and mother Christine passed away in 2018, were drawn at random and staff at St Giles then raised enough funds to ensure both children had a bike.

Other donations by volunteers and local businesses ensured that Andrew also got a bike and helmets and lights were provided for each bike.

Andrew said that Liam and Naomi were absolutely thrilled with the news and overwhelmed by everybody’s kindness, and added that the family was looking forward to getting out on the road together.

He said: "This wonderful gift came out of the blue and the kids have been absolutely over the moon since they heard about it - it’s such a great Christmas present for them.

"It’s so nice to know that there are so many good and kind people out there in our community.

"It hasn’t been an easy couple of years but we’re so grateful for all the support we’ve been given.

"It’s not always easy to talk in your own family and coming to Phoenix has allowed Liam and Naomi to speak to somebody else about their feelings.

"It has really helped with their grief and the kids are now able to talk about their mum a lot more than they used to."

For more information about St Giles Hospice, please visit www.stgileshospice.com