Taunton family's thanks after appeal over theft of four-year-old's beloved trike goes viral

A Taunton family has spoken out after a social media appeal to trace a stolen trike went viral.

More than 850 people shared the story of four-year-old Purple Jones after her mum, Jamie, posted on social media when her beloved wheels were stolen from their Bishop's Hull home overnight between Friday and Saturday (March 15-16).

“On Saturday morning, my husband went to put the cover back on – as the high winds had been blowing it off – only to find the trike had been stolen,” she said.

“We bought it second-hand earlier this year - Purple used her Christmas money – and were looking forward to better weather so we could enjoy it more, so we were devastated to find it had gone.

“We were heartbroken and Purple would have been heartbroken, and no four-year-old child should have to face being a victim of crime, so we really didn’t know how to break it to her.

“Trikes like this one usually cost hundreds of pounds new, so we couldn’t afford to simply replace it.

"It's terrible that people are in the position where they have to resort to actions like this to get by, but I was so upset as this was clearly a child's bike that they were stealing.

“I posted on social media in desperation really, in the hope someone may find it if it had been dumped somewhere, or if they were offered the trike for sale they might report it.

“We were completely unprepared for the reaction.”

People began sharing the post, which featured a short video of Purple enjoying a ride on her prized possession, with hundreds posting the appeal within hours.

“I was overwhelmed with how kind people were,” said Jamie. “We immediately had offers of replacements and people wanting to donate to help us buy a new one, even offering to purchase a replacement, which was just unbelievable and totally unexpected.”

As the hours passed, the shares continued to grow, with more than 850 people sharing the post – and more offers rolling in.

Unbeknown to the family, a friend even set up a crowdfunding appeal to allow people to donate in a bid to raise the money for a new bike.

But then the family received some good news.

“A family member, who lives in the United States, contacted us to say he had heard the news and had bought her a replacement trike,” Jamie added.

“It was a very kind thing to do and we were, once again, blown away.

“We were feeling completely heartbroken for so much of the day, but as time went on, we began to realise that there are far, far more good people in the world than bad, which is an important lesson for us all.

"We are so grateful to everyone and want to say a huge thank you.

“And Purple will be able to enjoy the summer on her trike, which is the most important thing."

Anyone with information regarding the incident should contact police on 101, quoting incident number 5219056924, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.