Hadleigh community helps find trike stolen from 97-year-old

On Thursday a tricycle belonging to Ron Hurrell, 97, was stolen outside Hadleigh Methodist Church, in Chapel Lane.

The trike was vital to Ron, a former teacher and a “legendary” Hadleigh character, as it was his only means of transport.

However, a community campaign was soon launched by residents, and Rebecca Harris, MP for Castle Point, to find the trike.

The following day, Hadleigh resident, Claire Gunn, 53, who knew Ron from the Hadleigh Methodist Church, was made aware on Facebook that it had been found on Canvey.

Heartwarming - Claire Gunn with Ron Hurrell after returning the trike (Image: Claire Gunn)

A family had found the trike on Canvey, seen the appeals on Facebook by Claire, and kept it safe for her to come and collect.

Claire told the Echo: “I drove from my flat in Hadleigh to Dinant Avenue on Canvey to get the trike.

“My plan was to just ride it back to Ron’s house, and although I regularly ride a mountain bike, I had neve ridden an electric tricycle.

“I didn’t know how to work it, and it was on low power lurching all over the place. So, I gave up trying to ride it, and walked it back to Ron.”

Claire pushed the tricycle more than 2.5 miles from Canvey, all the way up Essex Way, and to Ron’s house in Hadleigh.

Happy - Ron Hurrell with his trike (Image: Claire Gunn)

She added: “The way the community came together was amazing. It was heartwarming.

“Thankfully, we found Ron’s trike, and we didn’t need to take up the offers of fundraising for a new one.

“The trike is Ron’s only means of transport, so it was very important to him. He is overwhelmed by the kindness and support.

“The look on his face when he got the trike back made that long walk totally worthwhile.”

One of Ron’s children gave Claire a lift back to Canvey and bought her a bunch of flowers, as well as cabbage for her pet rabbit as a thank you.

Rebecca Harris, MP for Castle Point, added: “Well done to Claire for being such a trooper, and to everyone who shared the details of the appeal on social media.

“We did it.”