'I'll buy Keith a bird table' (From Swindon Advertiser)

'I'll buy Keith a bird table'

10:00pm Friday 27th November 2009

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A kind-hearted man has offered to buy a cancer sufferer a bird table after his was stolen.

Father-of-two Steve Oliver, of Shrivenham Road, South Marston, was appalled that Keith Hawkes, who is about to undergo a throat operation, suffered the theft while in the Great Western Hospital.

Keith, a father-of-three from Walcot, said the table would have helped his recovery by watching the birds feed when he left the Neptune Ward.

Now Steve, 51, is prepared to buy him a new bird table or give him his own to make Keith’s hopes a reality.

“I saw the story in the Adver and couldn’t believe it,” said Steve.

“People in my family have had cancer and I know what Keith is going through.

“I felt so bad for him. You could tell he was upset by it.

“It’s the little things when you come out of hospital that make a big difference.”

Steve has offered to replace the three foot bird table like for like.

He has also got a bird feeding station which he would give to 69-year-old Keith when he comes out of hospital.

“I don’t understand why someone would want to take it,” added Steve.

The theft happened last week after thieves got over Keith’s back garden fence.

Two other offers of bird tables have come into the Adver newsroom.

Violet Gale, of Gladstone Street and Walcot councillor Peter Mallinson are also offering to help him out.

Keith, who was diagnosed with throat cancer in July, said none of his neighbours had spotted anything unusual.

The pensioner could now be moved to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford for the removal of his tumour.

Esk_Hause, of Swindon, wrote on our website: “I think this article is simply highlighting how low these vermin will stoop to feed their habits.

“For pity’s sake – a bird table. Absolutely unbelievable. Just goes to show that nothing is sacred any more. It's becoming a very sad world.”

Any information about the theft can be passed onto police by calling 0845 408 7000 or Crimestoppers, where information can be left anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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