A BIKE bought to help raise funds in memory of a "brave little boy" who died from cancer has been stolen from a garage in Chelmsford.
Emma Waplington-Allan had been training on the black racing bike in preparation for a charity ride from London to Paris in memory of her cousin Freddie, who died at just 22 months old.
However, when the 26-year-old was taking a break at her parents' house over the Easter weekend thieves stole the £300 bike from their garage in Beechenlea, Chelmsford.
"I had left my mum and dad's on the Tuesday after Easter and mum said not to worry, to leave the bike which I'd been using for all my training. Then I got a message the next day saying had I picked it up. I told her I hadn't and she said in which case it had been stolen," said Emma, a manager for Barclays, who believes thieves struck some time after midnight on Tuesday, April 22.
"There was no damage to the garage door and police said they think the thieves used a generic key to get in.
"Given that they left everything else in the garage, I think someone must have been looking at me take the bike in and out."
The loss of the top-end bike, which Emma estimates would have cost about £1,200 new, had particular resonance as it was to be her ride for the 300-mile route from London to Paris on Wednesday, July 30, alongside her husband Tom.
The pair took on the challenge to raise funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital, who cared for Emma's young cousin Freddie Wark.
He died in April 2013 from a Rhabdoid tumour, and received "exemplary treatment" from the London team.
"Freddie was such a beautiful and brave little boy – always ready to give you a cheeky grin and was such a joy to be around," said Emma.
Although she has managed to find another bike on which to train, the theft has left a "dent in her pocket" and she's keen to warn others of the possible use of a skeleton key by thieves.
"I'm asking people to watch their backs really, and just raise awareness so people keep an eye on their things," she said.
Now Emma is back on course with her training, she's still hoping to add to the £1,800 she has raised in memory of Freddie.
To add to her total, go to https://www.justgiving.com/tomand emmaparis
If anyone saw anything that may lead to the recovery of the stolen bike, they should call police in Chelmsford on 101.
