Bicycles stolen from Wanstead charity

Thieves have stolen bikes from a Wanstead charity set up to raise money for terminally ill children.

Wanstead Upcycles, founded by Redbridge councillor Paul Canal (Con, Bridge), refurbishes and repairs bicycles, giving free bikes to poorer families and donating money to the Haven House Children’s Hospice.

Since starting up during lockdown, the small charity has raised more than £1,500 for the hospice, refurbished more than 40 bikes and given around 15 away.

On Friday, three bikes – two being repaired for residents and one to be gifted to a local teenager – were stolen from the charity’s garage in Deynecourt Gardens.

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

The charity is now appealing for anyone with a disused bike to donate it as a replacement.

They can be contacted via [email protected] or on the Wanstead UpCycles Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WansteadUpCycles/

You can also donate directly to the fundraiser for Haven House Childrens’ Hospice at: https://www.havenhouse.org.uk/fundraisers/paul-canals-haven-house-fundraiser-please-donate-today