Jamestown schoolboy reunited with stolen bike

Jul 16 2010 by Lorraine Waddell, Lennox Herald (main ed)

Jamestown schoolboy reunited with stolen bike

A SCHOOLBOY whose bike was nicked got a brand new one thanks to a generous donation – only for his old cycle to turn up on the same day.

Euan Lowe, 10, was gutted when his bike was stolen last month from his home in Jamestown’s Levenbank Terrace.

He made an appeal in the Lennox Herald for the bike to be handed back in time for his cycling proficiency test at school.

Meanwhile, the kind-hearted Dumbarton and District Dominoes Team stepped in and gave him the cash to buy a new cycle.

Although it was too late for the test, Euan was all ready to gear up for his summer holidays, having got his cycling certificate after borrowing a bike from a friend.

But last Wednesday night, just as he had taken delivery of his new bike, police turned up with Euan’s old bicycle.

Mum Jean Birkmyre said: “I came home from work on Wednesday night and police were at the door.

“They opened up the van and had Euan’s bike in it.

“I couldn’t believe it. You couldn’t get odds on that.”

After reading about the theft of Euan’s bike in the Lennox Herald last month, Alan Jamieson, who is the main sponsor of the dominoes team, decided to pledge money to give to Euan for a new bike.

Alan said: “I had my bike stolen when I was younger and I wanted to do something so Euan could get out on his bike during the summer holidays.”

The money raised meant that Euan got to pick a brand new bicycle from Halfords in Dumbarton’s St James Retail Park.

He now plans to use it over the summer holidays to hone the skills he learned during his cycling proficiency test, which he sat and passed at Jamestown Primary where he is a pupil.

And mum Jean is so grateful to the dominoes team for letting Euan keep his new bike that she has vowed to help them out during their next charity venture.

The team recently held a tournament in memory of Alan Jamieson’s brother and father in the Lennox Bar, Dumbarton.

Organiser Danny Casey would like to thank all who participated for their support, Gordon for his donation and Tommy and Carolyn for providing the venue, buffet, drinks and prizes.