Bailee Cuthbert had a look of wonder on her face as Future Shop general manager JD Gilliland and communications manager Elliott Chun unpacked a red carrying bag in the store on the Langley bypass.
A brand new Surface tablet/computer. And an iPod. And a calculator. And more.
They are replacements for all the gear that disappeared when a thief stole Cuthbert’s bag while the student was coming to the aid of a 14-year-old with a seizure.
It happened Friday afternoon around 4 p.m. (Nov. 21) when Cuthbert, who trains at Rahn’s Black Belt Academy in Langley City where she earned a black belt in taekwondo, responded to a call for help.
Cuthbert dropped her book bag in front of the academy, which is located on 56 Avenue near 202 Street.
She stepped away about five minutes, which was enough time to make sure the teen was OK.
It was also enough time for a thief to make off with her bag, which contained her laptop computer, wallet and nearly a semester’s worth of her work at University of the Fraser Valley.
When the story broke, Chun at the Future Shop got in touch with the CTV News reporter who broadcast the report and told Cuthbert the high-tech seller could help.
“We just thought it was the right thing to do,” Chun said.
“It’s in our neighbourhood,” said Gilliland.
Cuthbert expressed amazement at the replacement gear, saying it was more than she expected and represents a substantial upgrade from the stolen property.
“This is way above and beyond what I started with,” Cuthbert said.
“I’m not sure how much of this I really deserve.”
Her taekwondo instructor, Shane Rahn, interrupted.
“You deserve all of it,” said Rahn, who had dropped by to witness the presentation.
While that was going on, Dan Tanner was waiting to one side, with a white envelope.
Tanner, the events manager for the Pint Pub in Vancouver, said he and some friend were watching rugby when the news about Cuthbert came on.
“I saw the story on the telly,” Tanner said.
“So we decided to do something about it.”
They raised $600, plus tickets to a Canucks game and a few other goodies.
