A WOMAN in the second year of remission after battling cancer has had her bicycle stolen days before she takes part in a charity ride for a cancer charity.

Thieves took Amy Beckett’s purple mountain bike from a lock-up at her workplace, in Victoria Avenue, Southend, on Thursday last week, despite it being chained up in a secure area.

To make matters worse, although Amy, 23, is hopeful of being able to borrow a bike for the Southend Bikeathon on Sunday, it still isn’t guaranteed, meaning her hard work and training to raise money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research may not be put to use.

She said: “People never know the background or the story behind things like this.

“Not only did I use the bike to get to work, it was also going to be used for something so important this weekend. The charity is making really big progress with its research, but also with finding out more about the causes.”

Amy, of South Woodham Ferrers, received the bad news she had Hodgkin’s lymphoma when she was 20.

She took up cycling to help her get better and maintain a healthier lifestyle.

Her training in the lead-up to the event has included two 18-mile rides a week, including off-road rides and tackling steep inclines.

Amy has raised £350 for the ride, and is hoping to hit her target of £650 through the donations website www.justgiving.com/ amy-beckett1 Anyone with information about Amy’s bike should ring PC Justin Skinner at Southend police on 101.