*****************************UPDATE**********************
Yesterday I received a text message from Senior Constable Toby. Originally he wanted to grab the bike off me and get the parents to pick the bike up from the station, however, because he knew I really wanted to personally give the bike back to the family, he made an exception and asked the family whether or not he has permission to give me their number. So basically, the text message contained the family members names and their number.
So late yesterday I called and spoke to the kids Mom, who was OVER THE MOON and so happy, relieved and excited to hear her sons bike was back. I could hear it in her voice she was genuinely happy. I told her that people have been charged for robbery and assault and again she was happy that justice has been brought to those people that have hurt her son. We spoke on the phone for ages, she was a fantastic mother who I could tell really loved and cared about her son. She was unsure on whether on not she would tell her son, was she going to surprise him or tell him? I know if I was her I wouldn't be able to contain my excitement and would have blurted out "OMG WE FOUND YOUR BIKE LOL!"
So this afternoon I got a call from her and she was out the front of my unit, I wheeled the bike out to see a 15 year old kid and an excited mom. I had to wheel the bike down this hallway which was kinda dark, so he couldn't really see what I was holding. I opened the door and he got closer, he didn't say a word he was so shocked. His mom goes "do you recognize this" and he was like "urgggghhhhh, that's my bike" - seeing this kids face as I handed him his bike back was priceless. He had NO IDEA, that today his mom would drive him somewhere random, and a complete stranger would hand him his bike back. I also threw in some brand new tyres donated by Austen Hawkins so the kid could get on his bike as quickly as possible.
We stood around and had a chat for a while, they were a wonderful, sincere and good family. It's sad to see so much destructive activity out in the world, it almost makes us lose track of the fact that even through all this shit we see, there are genuinely great people out there that don't deserve bad things to happen to them.
Anyway, I'll never forget this, I'll never forget handing the bike back and the look on his face. In a way it makes me want to strive to help more, it makes me want to give back more to the community and to be nicer to people. I suppose it makes me think that people are products of their environment, help to build a better environment, and we build beautiful people. Anyway enough emo jibba jabba
I'm so happy right now, this literally only happened about 30 minutes ago. I'm filled with funny feelings...... or maybe that's just gas.
Before they left the mother reached for her wallet. I said "no no" with weird hand gestures and explained to her that everyone from Rotorburn had gotten together and chipped in to get my cash back. Still, she was adamant about me accepting the cash, so I got my money back from her. So basically I feel so so so guilty that you guys have all chipped in cash. Please let me know your bank details or paypal accounts and I'll happily refund your cash or donate the money to World Bike Relief. I have my cash monies back and MORE, I would feel guilty accepting anymore money for personal gain. So please PM me and let me know what you'd like me to do
Now I better go have a shower and buy myself some beer
I think I need to celebrate
THANKYOU THANKYOU THANKYOU everyone out there who donated, you guys are champions!