A SAUCHIE woman was bowled over by kindness after her bike, which she uses for charity cycles, was pinched from her back garden – only to be replaced thanks to a good Samaritan.

Mhairi Quinn (40) originally bought it to take part in the Edinburgh Night Ride in June to raise money for the MS Society Scotland, after being inspired by her sister’s battle with the condition.

Having enjoyed the challenge so much it was her intention to continue fundraising through cycling events, until she discovered her bike was missing.

She said, “It was locked up in my back garden and someone had stolen it, which was a bit annoying. And it was a bit of a disappointment because I had planned to do other charity things with it so I was really disappointed and slightly angry.” Her husband then put an appeal on Facebook asking for help to locate the missing item, which was shared around 300 times, and led to the good Samaritan stepping forward.

After seeing the post online Barry McPherson, managing director of Alloa Hire Centre, got in touch and offered to replace the item.

An old school friend, he knew she had been doing a bit of charity work and thought the situation was “absolutely rotten”.

A keen cyclist himself, he spoke to Kenny at Road and Road Cycles in Bridge of Allan and kitted her out with an even better bike — with the caveat that she keep fundraising.

He said, “I got in touch via Facebook and agreed to speak to the guy at Rock and Road and reiterated the story to them and got the bike at cost.

“I was originally just going to replace the bike she had from Halfords but I thought if I spoke to someone like this, rather than just replace the bike she would get a better bike.” Mhairi, who works at YouTrain in Stirling, said, “It was absolutely fantastic. I was kind of lost for words, which is kind of unknown for me. It’s fantastic to think that someone would just be so kind, and help us out.” Now she hopes to build on the success of the 50-mile cycle which saw her raise £220 for the Multiple Sclerosis charity.

She is set to take on a 40-mile ride around the Hillfoots to raise money for her daughter’s football team — the Tullibody Lassies — after being unable to take on the Great Scottish Run in Glasgow as planned.

Mhairi thanked Alloa Hire Centre, Road and Road Cycles and everyone for their support, “I would just like to say thanks very much to Barry at the Alloa Hire Centre for his very kind gesture and also to Bridge of Allan for helping out as well and for everyone that has given donations and sponsored me in all my fundraising events.”