Three bikes were stolen from a Wanstead charity which refurbishes donated bicycles to raise money for Haven House Children’s Hospice.

Ilford Recorder: This blue bike was already sold and set to be delivered to a 15-year-old boy were the callous thieves got their hands on it. Picture: Paul CanalThis blue bike was already sold and set to be delivered to a 15-year-old boy were the callous thieves got their hands on it. Picture: Paul Canal (Image: Archant)

A blue bike, which was set to be delivered to a 15-year-old boy, along with two others for residents were stolen from Wanstead Upcycles on Friday night.

The charity was set up at the height of lockdown by Cllr Paul Canal to give bicycles a new life and donate the money raised to the Woodford Green children’s hospice.

Cllr Canal was “sickened” by the heartless theft and said: “Volunteers have spent hundreds of hours refurbishing and repairing bicycles, and so far we have raised more than £1,500.

“For some mindless morons to act in this way and directly affect the lives of terminally ill children is beyond contempt.”

He has issued an urgent appeal for replacement bicycles.

To donate email paul.canal@gmail.com or https://www.facebook.com/WansteadUpCycles/