Cycling club member devastated after bike used to raise £11,000 for charity is stolen by thieves

Thieves stole two bikes belonging to Sam Hurdus, a member of Daventry Cycling Club, on Saturday night.

“I am heartbroken that thieves have not only stolen both my bikes but stopped my fundraising in its tracks,” said Sam, who lives on a canal boat on the Grand Union Canal.

“I store the bikes near my boat but I forgot to lock them that night. They are worth £1,500 and are not covered by my contents insurance.”

Sam, who works as a housekeeper, has raised nearly £11,000 for The Myton Hospice since January. She was due to raise more money for the hospice by taking part in the RideLondon 100 in August, an annual event where amateur cyclists ride more than 100 miles through London and Surrey for good causes.

Sam’s fundraising activities have also included cycling outside supermarkets and in shopping centres, and most recently helping to organise a new charity cycling event with fellow members of Daventry Cycling Club, which raised nearly £4,500 for The Myton.

Since the theft was reported, a cyclist in another local club has offered to lend Sam a bike for the RideLondon 100 - but she says she is determined to get her own bikes back and is now offering a reward.

She said: “A friend has put up £50 which I’ve matched, so that means we’re offering a total reward of £100 for information leading to the recovery of both bikes.

“I’ve been really touched by the offers of help and support that I’ve received from the cycling community but I want my own bikes back.

“In October I am due to take part in another event in Kerala, Southern India, which is also in aid of The Myton.

“I will have to cycle 50 miles a day out there so I need my own bike so I can keep up with the training.”

Anyone who has any information about the stolen bikes - a white Felt Z95 road bike with red tyres and a Claud Butler Cape Wrath mountain bike - should contact the police on 101.