Anonymous donor donates £815 to Selkirk kids’ bike fund

The fundraising bid to help buy new bikes for Selkirk children after five were stolen over the weekend has coasted over its initial target.
By Kevin Janiak
Published 12th Jun 2020, 10:53 BST
Some of the bikes were later found dumped in the Ettrick.Some of the bikes were later found dumped in the Ettrick.
Some of the bikes were later found dumped in the Ettrick.

The bikes were taken over Saturday and Sunday in the Bannerfield area of the town and the callous thieves then went on to throw some of the bikes into the Ettrick river.

Souter Kim Shepherd launched her plea on the crowdfunder page to prove to the kids they actually live in a kind-hearted community and it was going fairly well.

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However, a few hours after The Southern highlighted the good cause, an anonymous donor paid £815 to take the fund up to its £1,000 target.

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And three further anonymous donations were made yesterday, taking the total to £1,160.

Kim said: “It was amazing. I could barely believe it when it came through, it was very unexpected.

“Obviously, the person who made the donation has chosen to remain anonymous, which is absolutely understandable.

“Whoever did it was doing it for the right reasons.”

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If anyone would still like to donate, the Selkirk Community Bike replacement Fund is still ongoing, with a stretch fund of £1,250, and any extra cash will be spent on new locks for the bikes.

The fundraiser has 52 days left to run, after which the cash raised will be available.

Kim said: “Unfortunately, due to the Crowdfunder site rules, we can’t access the money until the time period is over ... I didn’t think we would have been able to raise as much so quickly.

“If there is any cash left over after buying the bikes and locks, it will go towards either the common riding fund, or another good cause that will help the community of Selkirk.

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“The main priority now is to source the bikes, which has not proven easy.

“We always wanted to source new bikes if at all possible, because most of the bikes taken were very new.

“I have spoken to Halfords and told them what we are doing, and they say they will let us know when they have the bikes we need available.”

Kim added: “I started this off because I want these kids to realise that despite what happened to them they do live in a kind-hearted community.

“And all the people who have donated have proved me correct. Well done Selkirk!”

To donate to the cause, click here.