A CHARITY ride in memory of cancer victim Leala Milleare was marred by thieves who stole three of the fundraisers’ bikes.

About 60 of her relatives and friends set off from Walton pier on Saturday to raise cash for St Helena Hospice, where 29-year-old Leala was cared for before she died.

The thieves struck just after the riders reached Clacton pier.

Leala’s cousin, Brandon Taylor-Milleare, and his cousins Charlie and Haiden Newman locked their BMX bikes on the Boardwalk on the pier while they got a hard-earned drink after the ten-mile ride.

When they came back, all three bikes had gone.

Brandon, 11, from Colchester, had only had his bike ten days and Charlie, 14, and Haiden, 11, from Clacton, were also devastated by the theft.

Their grandmother, Pat Jones said: “They were absolutely gutted to lose their bikes. They just couldn’t believe it. It’s sickening for that to happen.”

Leala, of Arnold Road, Clacton, died in June after a long battle against cancer.

Saturday’s event raised more than £5,000 in her memory for the hospice.

Mrs Jones said: “The boys raised £150. Everyone gave up their time to do it.

“It’s just a shame it ended up the way it did.”