AN overwhelming community response to a bike theft in Albury at the weekend has restored a father’s faith in humanity.
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Harry Kerr said his son, Chris, had been devastated when his bike was stolen from the Regent Cinema foyer on Sunday.
But Chris was smiling again yesterday, thanks to the generosity of former St Kilda footballer Ian Rowland — one of six people who reached out and offered him a new bike.
Mr Rowland, a member of St Kilda’s only premiership-winning team, in 1966, said he had won the bike in a raffle at a St Kilda past players’ reunion a few years ago and it had been sitting in the shed.
“I read about the theft in The Border Mail, so I thought: ‘I’ll ring Harry and see if it needed replacing’,” Rowland said.
He has known the Kerr family through their involvement with the North Albury Football Club.
Chris’ mood picked up after he received the bike and he immediately took it for a test spin.
Mr Kerr said he and his wife, Jane, could rest easy knowing their son, who has Down syndrome, was happy.
“Chris could quite have slipped back because he suffers bipolar and is on medication for it,” Mr Kerr said.
“Having the bike keeps him energised and moving which is good.
“It’s just lovely and it renews your faith in humanity.
“It just goes to show what sort of a place Albury really is.
“He will keep his bike secure now — it will be his main concern rather than the movie.”