A CYCLIST has been left devastated after his £4,000 bike used for regular charity fundraisers was stolen.

Adam Dore’s carbon fibre road racing bike was taken from a communal shed at his apartment block in Gladstone House, Cherry Tree.

Now Adam, 33, is appealing for it to be returned.

He used the bike to raise funds for children’s charity MedEquip 4Kids.

Adam had saved for almost a year to buy the parts to build his bike from scratch.

“I bought the frame in January and since then I have been working on it almost every day and had only just got it right, so I was gutted when it got nicked.” he said.

The sales rep, who lives with his fiancee Alexandra, was preparing to take part in the 100-mile Lancashire Loop Cycle Challenge this month in a bid to raise more funds for MedEquip 4Kids.

He said: “It was my pride and joy and something which I have put to really good use over the years to raise money for charity.

“My partner has cerebral palsy so raising money for these charities really means a lot to us both and now I won’t be able to take part in these events to provide much-needed cash for MedEquip4Kids.”

Bosses at MedEquip4Kids, which works with medical staff to provide equipment in hospitals across the North West, expressed their sadness at the theft.

Vicky Bummage, project co-ordinator at the Manch-ester-based charity, added: “We really value Adam’s support and we are really sad that this will affect his fundraising.

“The money raised from the Lancashire Loop is used to buy paediatric equipment for children in hospitals, so the fund-raisers are really important to us.”

The theft took place between midnight on Tuesday, August 26 and 7.50am on Wednesday, August 27.

Two white men, 5ft 10ins tall and 6ft tall, were seen acting suspic-iously in the area at around 11.30pm on Tuesday night.

They were both of medium build, clean shaven and wearing dark clothing.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to call 08451 25 35 45.