A mum and her seriously ill child are now feeling the benefits of pedal power after donations from Oxford Mail readers allowed them to get on their bike.

Victoria Parnell was left heartbroken when a bike she had bought for her 11-month-old son Vincent, who suffers from cystic fibrosis, was stolen after less than a week.

But, after reading about her story in last week's Oxford Mail, two readers came forward with donations of £80 apiece so that Vincent can get out in the open air and help clear the mucus that builds up in his lungs.

Their donations were matched by Witney cycle store Denton's which sold her a new Raleigh Voyager Comfort 21-gear mountain bike - worth more than £200 - at a knock-down price and threw in a free baby seat for Vincent as well as cycle helmets for the pair.

Miss Parnell, 34, from Abbey Road, Witney, said: "It's absolutely superb. I'd been into Denton's so many times wishing one of the bikes would go down in price so that I might be able to buy one for me and Vincent.

"It's really cool. I'm really looking forward to getting Vincent out in the open air and helping to clear the mucus in his lungs quicker.

"We were heartbroken when my other bike was stolen, but this restores your faith in humanity. When someone has done something that sweet and they don't even know you it is truly amazing."

"I got the safest bike for me and my little man. It is all our dreams come true. I want to say a massive thank-you to the people who gave us the money. I can't believe they did it."

Pauline O'Driscoll, 59, of Goose Green Close, Wolvercote, and her sister Janet Hambridge put forward £80 they had raised from table-top sales. Another £80 donation was left anonymously.

Mrs O'Driscoll said: "When I read about what happened to that poor family I just thought I had to do something.

"We hope this helps Vincent to feel better."

Ian Beetison, retail manager at Denton's said: "We were very pleased to be able to help. We had to do something. Vincent has a little smile on his face in the child seat. We hope they get many years of pleasure from the bike."