A doctor who had his bike stolen from outside Kinsgton Hospital recently has been helped back into wheels thanks to a fundraiser set up after news of the theft was posted online.

Dr Josh Wilcox, who works on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic at Kingston Hospital, said he was "utterly blown away" by the community response to the fundraiser that was launched in the wake of a social media post about the theft.

His bike was stolen as he worked a 13-hour shift at Kingston Hospital that remains at the epicentre of the Covid-19 pandemic in the borough.

Speaking after the successful conclusion of the fundraiser, the Kingston doctor said:

"I’ve been utterly blown away by the local community’s generosity and goodwill.

"It’s really turned a sour tasting event into the most emotional and magical moment – a massive thank you to Ben and everyone who donated!"

The fundraiser was set up by Ben Maclean, a plasterer from Surbiton, who responded to a post by Josh's partner that described how the bike was stolen during "his 13-hour shift" at Kingston Hospital.

"People started commenting on the post and wanted to donate money, so that’s when I thought I would set up a GoFundMe page," Ben said.

"I posted it on my company’s Facebook page ‘Platinum Plastering’, and it gathered momentum and more people started donating.

"I’m always up for doing something positive as I enjoy helping people. Life is too short," he added.

Over £1,400 was raised in s matter of days to buy Dr Wilcox a new bicycle with room to spare.

He was one of a number of frontline healthcare workers who have been targeted by thieves during the pandemic.

Ben donated the remainder to Anstee Bridge, a Kingston-based charity that provides alternative learning to teenagers facing emotional challenges.

Dr Wilcox said he was "delighted" that the extra funds levied in the fundraiser had also gone to a good cause in the area.