Girls on charity coast to coast ride are robbed of their bike
TWO schoolgirls were mugged and had a bike stolen as they took part in a coast to coast cycling event to raise money for a hospital which has treated a sick friend.
Pals Georgina Slater, of Etwall, and Phoebe Harrison, of Ashbourne, both aged 15, were cycling 121 miles from Carlisle along the length of Hadrian’s Wall to Newcastle when they were mugged. They were raising money after a family friend spent part of the Covid pandemic in Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
The were attacked by a group of boys while cycling through Byker, a suburb of Newcastle, and one of their bikes was stolen.
Georgina’s mum, Wendy, said one boy from the gang pushed the youngster off her bike and ran off with it. Phoebe ran after them but they disappeared.
The girls called their families, who caught up with them and police were called. The girls were left shaken but determined to complete the remaining 10 miles on foot.
Wendy said: “On their first day, they went about 50 miles. They had a puncture on the day but they coped really well and recovered quickly. They stayed over and started again the next day.
“We would meet them up every eight miles or so just to check on their progress. We stopped together in Corbridge before heading off towards Newcastle. We met them in the city centre for some food and they were really excited and optimistic given they were entering the last leg of their journey.
“As they were coming out of the city centre they rode through an area called Byker, about two miles after they left the city centre. They were bursting with energy and were excited that they were coming in for the final leg. Whilst they were cycling four lads jumped them.
“One of them [the youths] pushed Georgina off her bike and stole it whilst the other three ran off. They were left on their own. After this, Phoebe pursued on foot. Georgina rang me, then rang the police to tell them what had happened.
“At the time, I was headed to Tynemouth for the final meet-up point before the end. However, we came straight over to find the girls, who were in a very emotional state.
“They decided to finish the challenge on foot. We were really shocked as everything was going so well. I was angry as they were doing it for a good cause and they were so close to the end.
“Luckily, we had set up a pinging location tracker on their phones so we were close. To be honest, I’m glad I didn’t see who did it because I don’t think I would have been able to hold myself back. Georgina wasn’t injured, just a small graze on her arm, plus some bruises, but both were emotional and tearful and were for some time afterwards.”
Georgina said: “Me and Phoebe had stopped to have a drink and just as we were setting off, I was pushed off and they took my bike. I was quite shaken.”
The bike was later recovered by police and returned to the girls.
Wendy said: “Northumbria Police have been superb. They instantly came and helped us out. They made some enquiries and the bike came back on Friday...in one piece.
“I really hope it doesn’t deter the girls. The support that they have received after the incident has been tremendous. I think their confidence has grown massively. They are two young women who have embarked on this challenge. I honestly couldn’t be more proud of them.”
Georgina said: “I wasn’t expecting to get the bike back so when Northumbria Police called us up to tell us they had found it in one piece, it was quite a relief.
“We have nothing planned for another challenge but we will hopefully do something next year.”
The girls are keeping their fundraiser open and have raised over £1,500. To donate, go to www. gofundme.com and search “Georgina and Phoebe’s C2C cycling challenge”