Friends 'chip in together' to provide Queen Elizabeth Hospital nurse with a new bike after theft

Having been dismayed to find her bike had been stolen after a 12-hour shift at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), a nurse was then "over the moon" to receive a replacement free of charge the next day.

Amy Featherby's bike had been stolen after she finished a shift on the Windsor Ward on Wednesday evening.

After finding out about the theft, Becky Pochetty, who owns the No.4 Salon on Lynn's High Street, asked her friend, Jon Bocking, the owner of a bicycle shop in Ely, if he could help out.

Miss Pochetty said: "She [Amy] is someone who has come into the salon for a couple of years and I thought it was awful how her bike had been stolen after a night shift.

"I rang Jon as I knew he had a business and asked if there was any way of getting her a new one."

Mr Bocking was more than happy to oblige and between him and Miss Pochetty, the two families chipped in with enough money to cover the cost of Amy's new bike.

When she received her new bike, Amy was said to be left "speechless", as well as being "really grateful" and "over the moon".

Mr Bocking, who is also the owner of East Coast Signs in Lynn, said: "I could not believe people in King's Lynn could so such a thing [steal the bike], so when Becky told me about it, I thought anything to do with the QEH, I'm here to help.

"Anything with QEH pricks my ears up because they have been absolute heroes.

"I said I will give her a bicycle whatever it costs. I paid £40 of my own and my partner's money, then Becky and the rest of the family all chipped in together, so we bought it between us."

In response to Mr Bocking's social media post, QEH chief executive Caroline Shaw said: "Thank you so, much really appreciated by all at team QEH."

And Amy's colleague Shelly Allen replied: "She is one of the most dedicated and deserving colleagues and friends. I know she will be touched by this kind act. Thank you for making her day."

East Coast Signs also delivered 400 stickers to the QEH this week to help with any posters and banners being put up.