The generosity of the people of Fermanagh and further afield has been felt by one Enniskillen man who had his mobility bike stolen prior to Christmas. Eugene Hassard, who had his leg amputated from the knee down due to gangrene caused by diabetes, said he has been "overwhelmed by the generosity" of people. A friend of Mr. Hassard's set up a gofundme page to replace the stolen bike, which had vital medicine and meat for Christmas in its basket when it was taken.

"I didn't even know anything about the fundraising until a niece of mine told me. It is really unbelievable the generosity of people, especially at Christmas when money can be tight," he said.

Mr. Hassard was running some errands in Enniskillen when the bike was stolen. Police found the bike the following day, but the electrics have been badly damaged, and the bike is unlikely to be salvageable.

"I had been to the chemist to pick up some tablets, and then to the bank and then I went to Stewarts butchers to pick up some meat for Christmas," Mr. Hassard said, adding:

"I put the meat in the basket and then I saw my aunt getting out of her car, and she was on crutches, so I went to help her cross the road, because she was going to Home Field and Stream to pick up a Christmas present, and when I went back the bike was gone."

Initially Mr. Hassard thought that someone was playing a prank on him, but it soon became clear that the bike had been stolen. He posted on Facebook when he got home and within hours many people had been in contact to say they had seen the bike in the Sligo road area of town.

Mr. Hassard informed the police and the bike was found the next day.

"I am really lost without it. The bike is vital to me for getting out and about," he explained.

Mr. Hassard has suffered from diabetes for over 20 years. As a result, he had pancreatic and kidney failure and needed organ donation which he received. However, the diabetes also caused gangrene to take root in his tibia bone with the only option being the amputation of the leg below the knee.

The motorised bike has been essential in aiding Mr. Hassard's mobility and although the damage will be fully assessed in the early new year he has been told already that it is unlikely that it can be repaired.

A gofundme page was set up by a neighbour of Mr. Hassard's with almost £700 towards the total cost of a replacement bike already raised.

"I really can't believe it. I didn't know anything about it, but I have tried to reply to every message. I would say at least 75 percent of the people donating I don't know; people from Belfast to Coleraine to Enniskillen."

The target to raise is £1000 and the link for those who want to donate is https://www.gofundme.com/purchase-an-adult-alloy-tricycle