MICHEAL’S WHEELY RIDING HIS LUCK

THERE was no wiping the smile off Micheal Cunningham’s face yesterday.

The 12-year-old Brinsmead boy had been left devastated after the mountain bike he had spent months saving for by mowing lawns was stolen from his Edge Hill school.

But thanks to an anonymous donor and a generous bicycle store, he is on the road again on a shiny new set of wheels.

“I was just amazed and surprised that someone would go out and buy me a bike,” he said. “I couldn’t stop smiling. “I want to run up and give (the donor) a big hug and say thank you. And mow his lawn.”

The donor, a Cairns doctor, contacted The Cairns Post early yesterday morning wanting to help Micheal out, then dropped into Discovery Cycles which sells the Trek make he had to purchase.

He refused to be acknowledged, but just said the story had touched him as he had young children of his own who both loved their bikes.

Micheal’s mother Janelle Adams said their family was overwhelmed.

She said her son had gone through a tough few weeks, having to celebrate his 12th birthday just days after the theft, then undergoing ear surgery in Cairns Hospital.

“He’s had a rough month and this really helps,” she said.

Discovery Cycles employee Matti Bomford-Wind said they had been happy to help.

The store upgraded the bike from the 3500 model Micheal previously had to a Marlin 6 and also gave him a new helmet.

“It’s his favourite colour too,” he said.

The Cairns Post deputy editor Julian Tomlinson said the office was inundated by multiple calls and emails yesterday with offers to help.

“This was a great outcome for Micheal and his family and just shows the spirit of Christmas is alive and well,” he said.

THE outpouring of generosity in response to Micheal Cunningham’s stolen bike has been both amazing and heartwarming.

Picture: ANNA ROGERS BACK IN THE SADDLE: Brinsmead’s Micheal Cunningham, 12, and Matti Bomford-Wind of Discovery Cycles with the new bike an anonymous benefactor helped Micheal buy after his previous ride was stolen.