A FORMER colleague of a young carer’s late father has proved to be a Good Samaritan after heartless thieves stole the boy’s Christmas present.

As reported in the Advertiser last week, thieves stole Conall Ifould’s bike while he was away on a respite break with a young carer’s charity on Sunday, January 29.

The bike was a present from his mother during his first Christmas without his father, David, who died in a lorry collision in October.

The 10-year-old is one of the main carers for his mother Heather, who suffers from fibromyalgia, alongside his two brothers.

Within hours of the story hitting the news stands last Friday, scores of offers of help flooded into the Advertiser from our generous army of readers.

Glyn Cooke came to the Advertiser’s office offering to give Conall a replacement.

Mr Cooke, of Quicksilver Way, said he bought the bike from a friend as a gift for his son who chose not to use it due to an illness.

He knew Mr Ifould through work from his time as a security officer at Lenham’s.

Mr Cooke said: “Conall had a smile on his face when I gave him the bike. “I used to see Conall in the Lenham’s yard when Heather would pick David up from work.

“Conall would sit in the back and jump out the car and leap on his dad.

“He was a down to Earth man was David.”

Not only was Conall given a new mountain bike, a lock and helmet was thrown in as well.

Mrs Ifould said: “It’s perfect for him, it’s a bit big but he’s a growing lad.

“As soon as I saw Glyn I recognised him, he knew Conall as well.

“He’s over the moon, he’s so chuffed.

“I explained to him people had offered to buy him one.

“I gave him the options and he chose this one.

“I think because it’s someone who knew his dad, he thinks it’s extra special.”

A number of readers offered to buy Conall a new bike, while others made cash offers of up to £200 each.

An online fundraising page was also set up by another Good Samaritan, Martin Le Bon McGregor.

Young carer, Conall Ifould, devastated after first bike stolen