Canberra World War II veteran Les Cook said he has been “overwhelmed and embarrassed” by offers of assistance after a thief stole his mountain bike earlier this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Mr Cook and The Canberra Times have received dozens of calls and emails from residents and retailers offering to replace the modified Giant bike or donate to a fund for the purchase of a new one.
ACT Policing also fielded calls from concerned members of the public, although the family has declined offers of donations.
The 90-year-old veteran of conflicts in the Middle East and New Guinea was visiting another veteran in Curtin when his primary mode of transport was stolen on April 5.
"So many people have contacted me it is really getting embarrassing," he said.
"Really the whole object of the thing was the hope that it might somehow enable the bike to be returned if someone saw it up against a tree but it is marvelous to see people acting so generously.”
Mr Cook said his son-in-law originally wrote a letter to The Canberra Times to complain that someone would steal the bike so close to ANZAC Day, but he was reluctant to be viewed as a "sob story".
“I think this whole thing has become a tremendous plus mark for the city of Canberra,” he said.
The incident hasn’t slowed down the optimistic cyclist who regularly clocks more than 20km a day. Mr Cook is back on the road with another bike this week.
‘‘I am glad people will know that I have some wheels, and the fact is I am not destitute or anything like that,’’ he said.
"It really has been overwhelming."
His advice for fellow bike riders? Always use a quality bike lock.
Anyone with information about the theft can contact the Woden Police Station on 6256 7777.
