A FUNDRAISER was devastated to have his beloved bicycle stolen after a charity race.

Bill Blissett’s £600 racing bike was stolen in Shoebury, just hours after he completed the London to Southend Bike Ride for the British Heart Foundation.

Mr Blissett, 63, from Canvey, has raised £2,000 for the charity by completing the race five times. But he thinks the theft could mark the end of his fundraising days because he cannot afford to buy another one.

Mr Blissett said: “The thieves can’t have a heart. They stole it even though I’d been doing some good by raising money for charity.”

Mr Blissett’s family and friends saved up to buy him the black Specialized Sirrus bike earlier this year.

It is equipped with a small computer to monitor the cyclist’s progress and average speed, water bottle holders and a saddlebag.

Mr Blissett completed the 58-mile race last Sunday. He was too tired to cycle back to his home in Haarlem Road, Canvey, so his son took the bike back to his house in Hospital Road, Shoebury.

The bike was being kept in a silver Ford Transit van outside the house when thieves broke in and pinched it, along with some tools, between 4pm on Sunday and 7.30am on Monday.

Mr Blissett appealed for witnesses or anyone who has found the bicycle to call police. The bike is chipped, so police can trace it to Mr Blissett’s address if it is handed in or sold on.

Anyone with information can call Southend police station on 0300 3334444.