A TEENAGER has been reunited with his bike after a violent robbery in Tudor Grange Park – while the community stepped in to offer him support.
Last Thursday (August 16), 16-year-old Jordan Jones from Shirley was on his way home when he was allegedly attacked by a group of young people who punched him and stole his bike.
His bike is his primary mode of transport and he is due to start an apprenticeship at a local graphic designer in September.
His mother, Emma Williams, notified the Friends of Shirley Park Group on Facebook.
Friends of Shirley Park is a community group formed last year after traveller incursions and an increase in crime.
Group member Helen Polhill said it aims to make the park on Stratford Road part of the community again and make it a safe place for residents to enjoy.
This month Jordan was one of 19 teenage volunteers who helped build a woodland path in the Rose Garden for dog walkers to use in wet weather.
In hearing the news of Jordan’s bike, the group came together in an attempt to raise enough money to buy him a new one.
In less than a day the group had reached its target of raising £275 and by the next day it had exceeded £350.
Helen – who started the JustGiving page – said: “I was amazed by this young man and all of the youngsters involved in the woodland path project that day – they really were enthusiastic and hardworking.
“I was really upset to hear about Jordan’s bike, as were the other members of Friends of Shirley Park and we felt that as Jordan had given his free time to us, we would like to do something for him.
“I spoke to Jordan’s mom to see if she was ok with this and she was truly touched that we would think to do it.
“I was totally overwhelmed by how the community rallied round and came together to raise funds for Jordan and how quickly this happened.
“Since the formation of Friends of Shirley Park, I really feel that the Shirley community is starting to come alive again.
“I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who shared the post, commented and donated.
“It really restores your faith in human nature, especially when there are so many reports of crime in the area recently.”
However Jordan’s family were able to trace his bike being sold online and retrieved it without any money being spent.
The group is considering giving the money back to the community or to Jordan to get security for his bike.
Friends of Shirley Park splintered from the Shirley Crime Awareness group and the Shirley Streetwatch group has recently added impetus to the efforts of community organisations in the area.
The Shirley Streetwatch group has recently won an award from West Midlands Police Crime Commissioner, David Jamieson, for its work in the community.
