Letchworth GC family appeal for return of dead father's bike

A mother is appealing for the return of a bike belonging to her late husband that was stolen from outside her home.

Emma Maddams-Wilkinson says the theft of her husband David Wilkinson's bike has left her and her children upset. He died suddenly aged 45 on Halloween at home.

The bike was stolen recently from the front garden of the family home in Hillbrow, Letchworth GC, along with a bike belonging to Mrs Maddams-Wilkinson's teenager daughter Jess.

Both bikes had been chained to a drainpipe. Jess' bike has since been recovered but Mr Wilkinson's blue Raleigh mountain bike is still missing.

"My little boy Ben has been very upset by the theft. He was very close to his father and like all small children they cannot understand why people want to steal other people's property," said Mrs Maddams-Wilkinson, 37, who has three children, Freya, three, Ben, eight, and Jess, 17.

"We have all found it very difficult since David's sudden death and to lose his bike has just added to our grief for us all.

"We are hoping whoever stole the bike will return it and leave it in the garden or contact the Comet and say where it is. It is of great sentimental value to me and the children.

"Whoever took the bike just doesn't know how much hurt it has caused my eight-year-old son.

"We would just love to have his blue mountain bike back. It has no real value, it's just sentimental value to us. The children just want daddy's bike back."

Jess, who is studying for her A levels at Fearnhill School, Letchworth GC, said: "Ben was really upset when we discovered the bike had been stolen and still is.

"We will continue to look for the bike but hopefully if anyone reads this story they will return it or contact the paper."

Do you known where this blue Raleigh mountain bike is? If you do, contact the Comet newsdesk on 01438 866200.