FIREFIGHTERS have bought a disabled man a new bike after we reported he had his only means of transport stolen last month.

Daniel Conder, 55, had his £140 bike pinched from the communal area of his Lains Court flat, in Wolage Drive, Wantage, for the second time in six months.

Wantage 999 Fund – fundraisers who work in the emergency services – offered to buy him a new one after reading our report.

Mr Conder, who snapped a ligament in his ankle 10 years ago, can only get around painlessly on a bicycle as pedalling takes the pressure off his heels.

He was presented with the new £300 bicycle at Wantage Fire Station in Ormond Road.

He said: “It is absolutely brilliant. I never thought anybody would think to do this – it really gives you hope in society.

“There are so many people out there that knock people down.”

He said he was grateful to the newspaper for letting the community know about the crime.

He added: “It is great that they have helped with getting the new bike and highlighting the theft.”

Wantage 999 Fund member and watch manager at the fire station, Tony Whiting, said: “This guy is a victim of crime and it is made worse by the fact that he is disabled.

“He is not going to be able to get the money for a new bike and he needs it for his mobility.

“We raise money every year to help people in the community and to make a difference to their lives.”

He added: “I would not have known about this if I had not read about in the paper.”

Anyone with information about the theft should call police on 08458 50505.