Giver of bikes loses own ride

Sid Patel, who recently donated push bikes to Ka¯ whia schoolkids, has had his own bike stolen.

Patel is well known for his charitable behaviour all year.

Earlier this month, he donated new bicycles to the Years 1 to 7 children of the decile one Ka¯ whia Primary School.

For the Year 8 students, he provided Samsung smartphones to attend school out of town.

On Saturday, Patel continued his generous spirit by lending his bike to a friend to use in Hamilton.

She rode it to Centre Place mall in the central city, locked it up and went about her business.

However, when she returned to the bike around 5pm, it was missing.

‘‘She was very upset, she was crying,’’ Patel said.

The thief had managed to work the lock and get it undone. He conceded it might have been a cheap lock.

Patel isn’t too perturbed by the stolen bike and said that he had two more he could use.

‘‘I must have missed someone out when I was giving out the presents over the past week or so,’’ he said with a chuckle.

‘‘I am happy in that someone might need it more than I do, so now they have it.’’

Patel owns the KBeez superettes in Huntly and Putaruru, where he provides free fruit and bread year-round to schoolkids.

On December 15, Patel was at Huntly Central Kindergarten to give each child a bag containing a new lunch box, colouring pens and toys.

Patel also owns the Ka¯ whia Motel and has long been a supporter of the 54 children at Ka¯whia primary. In 2015, he donated $30,000 worth of computers, has gifted tablets to the kids, and continues to purchase the children’s stationery every year.

Patel couldn’t remember what brand the bike was, but estimated its worth at $600.

There are cameras where the bike was locked up and Patel – at the insistence of his friend – reported the theft to police.

Sid Patel has donated almost 50 bikes to the children of Ka¯whia Primary School but had his own bike stolen when he loaned it to a friend. He is pictured here with nine-year-old Anthony Taylor and principal Leanne Apiti.