Kentish Express Ashford & District
Nurse’s ‘amazing’ gift after bike is stolen from hospital
An act of kindness from staff at Ashford’s Halfords has left a nurse delighted.
Zuzana Javorska regularly cycles to the William Harvey Hospital where she works, however after one particularly horrible shift she came out to discover that her bike had been stolen.
Mrs Javorska said: “The bike was all locked up. I cycle to work and always leave it in the car park nearby but I came out after my shift at work and I couldn’t see the bike.
“I reported it to the security services and they told me to call the police.
“It’s just a shame that after work, and it was a horrible shift, I didn’t have a bike or a way home.”
After managing to get picked up from work by her husband, Mrs Javorska took to social media in a bid to find her stolen bike.
Lucy Cox, a friend of Mrs Javorska, shared the post where it was spotted by Dan Butler who works in the Bike Hut in Halfords on the Gallagher Retail Park off Norman Road.
Mr Butler spoke to his managers and arranged for a bike to be given to Mrs Javorska on Thursday, July 6.
He said: “I’m a member of a few cycle clubs and we all share things on Facebook. Someone shared it so I phoned up our area manager who was more than happy to help out. We’ve managed to donate a bike to her and we’re throwing in a lock too!”
Mrs Javorska said she couldn’t believe it when Mr Butler got in touch:“These things don’t usually happen to me but it has. It’s amazing. I was chuffed!”
She’s also making sure her new bike will be more secure at work.
“I’ve found out there’s quite a lot of bikes stolen from there,” said Mrs Javorska “I’ll be locking the bike inside for the meantime. I’m definitely not keeping it outside anymore!”
Unfortunately, it seems that Mrs Javorska isn’t the only one to have had her bike stolen in Ashford recently.
Mr Butler said: “Bike theft in Ashford is an on-going issue, especially around this time of year.”
He recommends the best way to secure a bike properly is to use a D-lock and cable lock which secures both of the wheels and the frame of the bike.
“We want the community to know that we’re here for everyone,” said Mr Butler “We can’t give everyone a free bike but if you get your bike stolen we’re here to help!”
Anyone who has witnessed anything suspicious or has more information on any stolen bikes in the area is urged to call Kent Police on 01843 222289 or to call Kent Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.