Kind-hearted Glaswegians have raised more than £6,000 for a refugee food delivery courier after his bike was nicked.
Abdulwahab Ibrahim Bahar had travelled to Scotland from his native Sudan around 18 months ago to start a new life away from war and poverty.
But disaster struck after his £2,500 bike was stolen while out on his rounds around Charing Cross last week.
The 26-year-old gave chase down St. George’s Road but couldn't catch the thief.
Kind Cara English read about his ordeal on our sister site Glasgow Live and decided to launch a crowdfunder to help buy him a new bike.
She wrote: "Abdulwahab is a Sudanese refugee working as a bike courier in Glasgow. During a delivery, his bike was stolen, almost certainly never to be seen again.
"This is someone who's fled war in his country and then had his livelihood taken away from him in the middle of a pandemic.
"He had to ask friends to lend him money for the now-stolen bike, and still owes them that back, plus needs to buy a new fit-for-purpose bike so that he can keep doing his job in peace.
"As Glaswegians, we need to show that we care about our refugee siblings living here. Let's get the man a new bike!"
The response has been phenomenal with more than £6,000 raised already.
Abdulwahab has now asked for the fundraising drive to be stood down, with Cara updating supporters: "Abdulwahab's requested we close the fund as you've all very kindly donated more than enough to cover his needs.
"Thank you again for your generosity and kindness on this. An incredible show of solidarity!"
Abdulwahab told Glasgow Live about the theft and his hopes when moving to the UK.
He has been given leave to remain in Britain which means he has the right to work.
He said: "“I’ve met other couriers who have also had their bikes stolen and they say there is no chance that I’ll see it again.
"I don’t know what I’m going to do now. I have some friends who also deliver for Uber but I can’t ask them to lend me their bikes.”
After fleeing war-torn Sudan he had saved and saved for the bike and borrowed money from pals to afford the £2,500 electric bicycle.
He added: "The money is good for someone like me and I can fit the work around my English course at West College Scotland which has been taking place on zoom during the lockdown.
"I now don't have a bike and I still owe my friends the money I borrowed."
But with the thousands raised, he should be back on the road soon.
One local donating £25 wrote: "I want to let Abdulwahab know that many people in the UK welcome him, and want to show solidarity in this new crisis. I am glad to have the opportunity to do so."
