Outpouring of support for North Devon’s Piano Bike Girl after Midlands van theft

North Devon’s popular ‘piano bike girl’ says she has been ‘blown away’ by the huge outpouring of support and donations after her van, costumes and equipment were stolen during a busking tour of the Midlands.

Chloe Marie Aston had said she ‘honestly felt like giving up with singing’ after dad Lee’s van was stolen along with all their belongings while she performed in the centre of Tamworth on Saturday (October 11).

But North Devon responded with a flood of well wishes and people urged Chloe to set up a crowdfunder page, something she had initially been reluctant to do.

The results were amazing, with an initial target of £2,500 to replace costumes, sound equipment, bike tools and spare parts reached in just 30 minutes. The current total now stands at just under £10,000.

Above: Chloe Aston busking at Tamworth in front of the famous Spud Man trailer, on the same day the van and all her costumes was stolen. Credit: Chloe Aston

Chloe, who is 21, has been performing by singing while riding her piano bike since she was aged 15 and has become a familiar sight both in North Devon but also in towns across the country.

Her plight reached the ears of broadcaster Jeremy Vine too, who invited her to appear on his BBC Radio Two show on Monday, with guest presenter Tina Dehealy. Jeremy also put a shout out for her appeal on his Channel 5 show on Tuesday too, wishing her good luck and saying ‘Don’t give up!’

After the theft, well-known Tamworth personality Spud Man offered support and let Chloe store her bike behind his jacket potato trailer while she and dad Lee began the process of contacting the police.

Chloe told the Gazette she was amazed at the outpouring of support and well-wishes she received. She said: “I am really blown away, because I think the appeal reached the goal in about 30 minutes.

“I did not want to put it out there at first and ask for a hand-out, but people kept asking for it and really wanted to help, so I am so thankful.

“I was also offered a lot of help as well to get back to North Devon.

“I opened Facebook and saw someone wanted to nominate me to turn on the Ilfracombe Christmas lights, which made me tear up and was really moving.”

Above: Chloe has toured all around the country and is pictured here outside Buckingham Palace in London. Credit: Chloe Aston 

North Devon-based garden furniture manufacturers BlueBerry Hill transported Chloe and her bike back home yesterday (Wednesday).

She has been booked for a homecoming gig at the Ship and Pilot pub in Ilfracombe this Saturday (October 18) at 9pm.

The stolen van itself is now going through the insurance process, but many of Chloe’s costumes were ones she’d had for years and were of great sentimental value. She and dad Lee also lost many of their personal possessions that were stored in the van during the Midlands tour.

She posted on Facebook this week: “Thank you everyone back home in Ilfracombe and Devon, I have received so many messages with very kind offers of support.

“Thank you to everyone else all over the country, even people who didn't get the chance to see me, for your kind words.”

Dad Lee added: “Chloe has had so many messages of support from all over the country that she has visited.

“The knee jerk reaction was let’s just stop it, but the support and kind words have kept us going. I am sure she will carry on – even Jeremy Vine told her to carry on during his Channel 5 show. But we will have to think about safety a bit more.”

If you would like to donate to the appeal, please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-piano-bike-girl-replace-her-gear-from-stolen-van