Bike thieves have put the brakes on a Sandbeds man’s hopes to raise cash for Cancer Research UK.

Andrew Coulton planned to compete in the Outlaw Half triathlon in June to raise much-needed cash for the charity.

But thieves raided the garage alongside his house on Friday night and stole both his training and competition bikes.

Andrew used one of the cycles to commute daily to work in Bradford, and intended to use the other – a top-of the-range mountain bike – for the triathlon.

Andrew’s wife, Ceri, said her husband had managed to repair an old bike for commuting, but it would not be up to the rigours of competition.

The Outlaw Half – at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham on June 1 – involves a 56-mile bike ride, 13.1-mile run and 1.2 mile swim.

Ceri said her husband entered the contest because one of his friends had been ill and the friend’s mother had died.

She added: “He’s been training for about ten months, commuting to work, and riding on the road bike every weekend. It’s heartbreaking to lose both bikes.”

Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact police on 101.

Andrew still hopes to go ahead with the triathlon. Visit justgiving.com/ and-rewcoulton to sponsor him.