George to get back on his bike

A five-year-old who had to be cut out of the bike he was riding by firefighters last week is to be presented with a brand new one.

George Hallifax was cycling along Chapel Gate in Gedney with nan Helen on Wednesday, July 15 when the incident happened.

The Holbeach youngster was not able to free himself necessitating a call to the fire brigade.

They were able to free him but only by cutting the bike to pieces.

Though a little bruised, George himself was fine.

The kind-hearted Holbeach fire crew spoke to JR Cycles about getting him a new bike.

Helen said: “George’s such a brave little boy.

“We often take him on his bike down the old A17 near The Black Lion as it’s a quiet place for him to learn, while I run alongside as does the dog.

“This time he just fell off, then fell on to my dog, and I have no idea how, but his leg got stuck behind the peddles.

“He couldn’t move it at all.

“It’s one of the few occasions I didn’t have my phone on me. I’m always moaning at the kids for being on their phones too much but here I was needing it and not having it.

“Finally a family that were on their way to the pub passed by and they very kindly let me use their phone and also waited for the fire engine to come.”

Helen bought all the family a drink by ringing the pub as a thank you before two fire crews turned up and cut George free.

“When two fire engines came I thought, oh my word, but the firemen were amazing and really good with George.

“Then they rang me the next day to tell me about the new bike and I couldn’t believe it.

“What a lovely gesture it is.”

Holbeach Fire Crew contacted JR Cycles in Whaplode and picked out a potential new bike for George that happened to be one refurbished by Ricky Turner.

Ricky normally has his own business, Crowland Pallets, but unable to work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has been helping out at the cycle shop.

Rather than take money for the cycle he offered to give it to George for free.

He said: “Refurbishing bikes is just something I’ve done in my spare time.

“With me not being able to work, I’ve just been helping at JR Cycles not being paid as John who runs it has been so busy recently.

“It’s good to be able to help George and we’re taking the old pieces of his bike too so we can re-use parts of those and make it into a bike for another youngster.”