A fundraiser who was planning to cycle over 300 miles for charity has had his bike stolen just weeks before the ride.

Ross Robinson, 22, had his bike locked to an iron fence inside his gated flat complex in Bevenden Street, Hoxton, only to find the railing snapped in two and his bike gone.

The keen cyclist was planning a gruelling ride from London to Land’s End last weekend to raise money for International Service, an organisation which runs schemes to support local charities for disabled people in Bolivia.

He has raised over £450 but needs to hit his £800 target before the end of May for the project to go ahead in July.

“I was devastated, and felt so helpless” he said. “The first thing that came into my mind was, oh my goodness, I won’t be able to do this ride.

“I wanted to use one of the few things I’m really good at and passionate about, cycling, to raise money for a good cause.”

A friend lent him her bike for the ride, but he had to postpone the trip to get used to the different build, and to train for five days of cycling and camping across the country.

He now plans to complete the challenge next month, but will have to travel across the city to pick up and drop off his friend’s bike in west London because he is too afraid to keep it locked outside his flat.

He said: “It had two locks on the bike and you need a fob to get in to the building. I’m shocked that it could be stolen from what I thought was such a secure place.

“I know now that if someone wants to steal your bike, they will get it no matter what you do.”

Hackney had the second highest number of bike thefts in London, with 1650 bikes stolen in the borough last year according to Met Police figures.

Last month, a safer neighbourhood team discovered a haul of 150 bikes, believed to be stolen, in Clapton.

Chief Inspector Andy Walker from Hackney Police said, “Hackney has seen a surge in the popularity of cycling over the last few years, which has also meant that we have seen an increase in cycle thefts. We are determined to tackle this - we are currently running a number of operations to reduce this type of crime and to catch those criminals who see bikes as easy pickings.”

Find out more about Mr Robison’s charity bike ride at https://www.facebook.com/events/624988580863094/?fref=ts