It started as a bad news story: a family leaving town disgusted and downhearted, the victims of theft of a child's prized possession.
But a surprising outpouring of support from citizens who want to help a child they don't even know has changed the family's outlook on Squamish - and it may lead to help for other young people who have suffered from theft.
After reading a letter to the editor in last week's Chief from a mother moving her family out of town after her special needs son's bike was stolen - the third bike stolen from the family in two years - more than 15 people contacted the newspaper offering to replace the boy's bike - some offering cash towards a new bike, some offering used bicycles.
The family, who has asked to remain anonymous, was floored by the offers.
"My son, when I read these out to him was stunned and his jaw simply dropped," his mother said in an email to The Chief.
The boy has accepted the offer of the first person who called, Sarah Penny, who is arranging to purchase a new bicycle for the boy through The Chief.
What's more, he has made a special request of all those who have made offers to help the family.
"He'd like to pay it forwards if possible and has come up with some ideas to do this with. In his words: 'Can we take them and give them to
