Mobility-challenged man getting new cycle thanks to lightning-quick radio fundraiser

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This article was published 04/08/2017 (2997 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A Winnipeg man with polio who had his custom-built tricycle stolen is set to get a new one thanks to a fundraiser organized Friday by local radio personalities.

In just two hours, the fundraiser reached and surpassed the goal of $3,500 needed to replace the recumbent trike.

Amber Trails resident Sukhjit Johal, 43, said the overnight theft from his garage in July robbed him of both his happiness and his health.

After Johal and Winnipeg police made a public plea for hand-pedalled cycle Thursday, Virgin Radio’s Ace Burpee and his colleagues decided to help.

Johal said the bike was an expensive but necessary means for him to get around, and when he wasn’t using it he offered it to various charities so other people with mobility issues could try it out.

Burpee said it was a case of the sooner, the better.

“We said ‘order it and we’ll take care of the rest.'”

Burpee figured the fundraiser would be successful, but didn’t anticipate how quickly people would step up to pay for Johal’s new ride.

“Every time I hit refresh, a couple hundred bucks more were there,” he said.

Johal used the bike — built to his body and weight specifications — for exercise and outings with his wife and children. As a result, it would be of no value to the person who stole it, Const. Rob Carver said.

“We love seeing the great people of Winnipeg come together to help Sukhjit,” police said in a tweet shortly after the fundraiser launched. “We will continue to do everything we can to return his bike.”

The six-year-old trike is black and may have an orange flag attached.

Anyone with information on its whereabouts is asked to contact police at 204-986-6219 or Crime Stoppers at 204-786-8477.

— with files from Bill Redekop

ben.waldman@freepress.mb.ca