Isabella Tree turned six earlier this month and was testing out her birthday present after school when her foot became wedged between the bike pedal and frame.

Parents Tania and James tried everything to pull her clear but to no avail, so called upon their local firefighters for assistance.

‘’We didn’t know who else to call – we’d tried lubricating her foot with oil and loosening screws – and she was getting really distressed,’’ Mrs Tree said.

‘’Then the firies turned up and 20 minutes later they’d managed to free her without causing any injury, although they needed to saw parts of the bike to do so.’’

The firefighters’ rescue efforts didn’t stop there however; once back at the station they put a cap around to buy Isabella a replacement bike.

Fire and Rescue NSW Balgownie deputy captain Luke Rowles said the team presented the little girl with the bike last week.

‘’We knew she’d be upset that her new bike had had to be damaged so decided to surprise her with a new one,’’ he said. ‘’We delivered it to her and it was great to see her reaction.’’

Mrs Tree praised the team for their generosity.

‘’It was just mind blowing – it was such a wonderful gesture,’’ she said. 

‘’Isabella just loves the new bike and is so grateful to the firefighters for firstly coming to her aid, and then surprising her with a replacement bike.

‘’They also gave her, and her big sisters, a tour of their truck and I just want to thank them for going above and beyond.’’

This isn’t the only good deed Balgownie firefighters are involved in; they’ll also join the Firies Climb for MND challenge – where firefighters race to climb all 1504 stairs (98 floors) of the Sydney Tower Eye on October 14.

‘’It will be a gruelling challenge, however it is nothing in comparison to the challenge patients with motor neurone disease face every day,’’ Mr Rowles said.

The team will hold a fundraising barbecue ahead of the challenge on Saturday, September 16, at Balgownie Fire Station.