Meet the boy who rode his bicycle across Geelong to find the perfect gift for Mother’s Day

A determined six-year-old boy sparked a frantic police search after riding three kilometers across town to find his mum the perfect gift for her special day.

Raith Barlow, who has autism, used a mop handle to sneak out of his Highton home early on Sunday to pedal 3.2 kilometers to Aldi to buy a television for his mother, Stacey.

He rode his bicycle to the lights to cross the busy Princes Highway, then negotiated Torquay Road, before walking through the front door of the store.

With 40 cents in his pocket, Raith proceeded to shop the aisles and attempted to lug a huge selection of lollies and mouthwash into a trolley.

The store manager soon noticed Raith was shopping alone and decided to ask a few questions.  

The manager attempted to walk the boy home, but called the police at the milk bar 900 meters up the road.

Mrs Barlow said she couldn’t thank the manager enough.

“Honestly, there’s nothing we can say to thank them…we’ve been very very lucky.”

“I automatically thought the worst…it was my panic moment.”

Raith ended up giving his mother a calculator for her big day, and said he had “learned a lesson” for next year.

“I’m going to tell mum and dad where I go.”