Generous strangers came to the rescue of a disabled man after thieves stole shopping he’d bought to celebrate his birthday.
Wheelchair user Jon Yates had treated himself to some barbeque items to celebrate turning 56 and was on his way home when the goods were snatched.
But luckily after posting about the incident on Facebook, kind social media users offered to replace the food to ensure he could still enjoy his big day.
Jon was getting on the bus home from Loughborough town centre when he discovered that someone had taken a bag of items from the back of his electric wheelchair, reports LeicestershireLive
The theft took place at some point between 3pm and 3.45pm yesterday (Thursday, July 15), after he had bought the goods from Tesco.
He put the items, worth around £30, in a rucksack , which was securely attached to the back of his wheelchair.
He also visited Poundland before getting on the bus.
The bag contained burgers, sausages and other barbecue items that Mr Yates had purchased for a small get together for his birthday this weekend, as he turns 56.
He said: “It was dreadful. I’m disabled, in a wheelchair. Money is very tight.
“Although I get my benefits, much of its goes on my care package, which isn’t cheap. I was absolutely devastated.”
Jon lives in Sutton Bonington and has cerebellar ataxia, a neurological condition which affects the muscles and a person’s ability to walk and move.
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He posted about the incident on Facebook, prompting several people in Loughborough to club together to replace the stolen items.
They arranged for 80 burgers and 80 sausages to be sent out to him, along with a stack of burger buns and a bottle of sparkling wine.
Jon said he was hugely touched by the kind gesture.
He said: “I was crying. It restores your faith in humanity.
“This morning I went back into Loughborough to meet some friends.
“Going around, being aware of people in powered wheelchairs, you realise how vulnerable people like us are.”
LeicestershireLive has contacted Leicestershire Police about the incident. Call 101 if you have any information.
