A FUNDRAISER hoping to complete a gruelling 170-mile charity cycle has had his bike stolen.

Arthur Bullock, of Grangetown, left the bike outside a friend’s house in Clynes Road, Middlesbrough at about 4pm on Wednesday (APRIL 24) when someone knocked on the door saying a thief had struck.

Mr Bullock, 32, was planning to use the bike in a Morecambe to Bridlington coast-to-coast ride, The Way of the Roses, on bank holiday weekend.

He has raised over £300 for the Salvation Army in sponsorship and feared he would have to pull out.

A friend has now lent him a bike so he can carry on with his charity ride.

But he said: “It just isn’t the same bike.

“I’ve been training since we did the Coast to Coast from Whitehaven to Sunderland last year and I am used to that bike now. It will feel strange using a different bike.”

Mr Bullock said the Salvation Army was a cause close to his heart as his whole family had been involved with the organisation.

The bike has the brand name Specialized and is black and red with white writing on the crossbar. It has been stamped by the police so could be identified if found.

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC James Garratt on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.