This has a heart.
After The Star reported on the theft of a bicycle on Thursday, Sudbury reacted and recovered significantly.
Hunter Howe, 13, is a fishing and cycling enthusiast. The young man, who is autistic, lives with his circle of relatives in Cartier, but spends a few days a week with a respite employee in Sudbury.
Earlier this week, less than two hours after his father left him for the day, Hunter learned that his motorcycle had been stolen from the Lorne Street community near the Caruso Club.
“He takes his motorcycle with him because they ride motorcycles all over the city and go fishing together,” Mother Katrina Howe said Wednesday. “Anyone who knows my son knows he loves fishing and cycling. That’s what he lives for.”
Between 6:30 a.m. on August 18, when Hunter arrived, and 8:00 a.m., he learned that “his motorcycle and backpack with fishing gear were missing.”
Howe said his son “pretty drowned” from the robbery. He told his parents that he felt “terrible, depressed and miserable.” Mom said there were a lot of tears on the way back to Cartier.
“The two things he cared most about were taken from him, ” he said. “It’s a very smart scenario in this home.”
With the new motorcycle and without his gear, the child may not be able to fish in his favorite place at Delki Dozzi.
“We bought him the motorcycle in June,” Mom said. “It’s a new motorcycle logo and it’s pretty annoying. He tried to fix one of the old motorcycles here, but we couldn’t locate the parts.”
But an organization of local enthusiasts came to Hunter’s rescue.
They are a humble organization and do not need to be appointed; however, a representative of Sudbury Bike Nights and Sudbury Motorcycle Group (two teams on Facebook) posted Hunter’s story and asked for donations. In minutes, the members responded.
“Within minutes, we got a message from those looking to remain anonymous, who were looking to buy a Canadian Tire gift card so the child could come in and buy a bicycle,” he said. “And then we received messages from two motorcycle teams, one in Timmins and one in Sudbury.
In total, the teams raised $700 in the form of Ramakko gift card, adding $400 from the Kanata NC Warriors (Sudbury Section) and $300 from the Kanata HR Warriors (Timmins Section).
It took less than an hour for the organization to raise the budget to buy fishing gear and get a new motorcycle for Hunter.
“That’s what we do, we’re cyclists, we have a big heart,” the representative said. “We are looking to break the stigma. We do a lot of charities and fundraisers. The truth is, he’s a kid and he’s harmless. His stuff was stolen and we looked for them back for him.”
A parent himself, the representative said, depending on the monetary scenario of the family, especially COVID-19, this can simply “signify the world” so that a child can enjoy the summer days outdoors.
“Here’s an autistic child, ” he said. “We don’t know the financial situation of the family, however, being autistic can be a limitation for the family. We’re just touched by our hearts when we see a story like that, and we just need to fix things when something’s for someone.
The organization has a history of fundraising and members of recruitment networks. Recently, a woman living in Wahnapitae lost her home in the fire. Lately, the organization is providing and soliciting donations.
“Another Sudbury motorcyclist who has supported our charity campaigns in the afterlife lost his home, all his belongings and several pets in a fire,” the organization announced on his Facebook page. “She was already suffering from COVID and the insurance had become obsolete for the house. He literally has nothing. We ask everyone to take a moment of their life and read their Go Fund Me or come to Sudbury Bike Nights for the next 3 weekends to donate money, clothes (for women) or family items. We will have a truck and trailer on site for the next 3 nights via a motorcycle to help recover those items. »
Mama Katrina ran out of words when she was contacted Thursday about the gift for her son. She said she was beaten by the news and deep down her daughter can be heard asking, “Mom, why are you crying?” She described the stage as andArray
“I didn’t expect other people to succeed,” he says. “I don’t know how to describe it. That’s crazy. Good heavens, I’m speechless. I don’t know what to say. I’m disappointed that whole strangers would help some other stranger in this way. This is unbelievable; oh my God.”
The moteros group’s provision was not the only one Hunter received. Two other people emailed The Star to buy a new bike, adding Diana Derro, owner of the Booster Juice franchise at The New Sudbury Shopping Center. Once Derro discovered the biker’s gift, he gave the circle of relatives a gift card from his shop, such as gifts and souvenirs.
A gentleman named John also presented a motorcycle that no longer drives.
“Just read your article about the child’s stolen motorcycle,” he wrote. “I have a very smart motorcycle, 10 gears, which has been hanging in my shed for several years and if that helps Hunter, I would be very happy to give it to her. The motorcycle is in good condition, you just want a smart cleaning and a little chain oil.
Hunter’s tale resonated with readers. Two other people with autistic children emailed The Star to help the teen.
“I just read Hunter Howe’s story. I have a motorcycle that I’d like to give you,” wrote a reader. “I hope it fits you and you may need a little maintenance. I have a 24-year-old autistic son who has a problem and I’d like to give it to this young man.”
Ramakko also intervened. After talking to a member of the biker group, the adventure store donated a fishing rod, a line and a net to Hunter.
Cyclists will provide Hunter with his new appearance on Sunday at A-W on Marcus Drive, near SilverCity theaters. The organization meets weekly from 6 p.m. 8 p.m. for an assembly and to show off their walks.
[email protected] Twitter: @marykkeown 705 674 5271 ext. 505235
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