A CHARITABLE optician who has raised thousands of pounds for sick children has launched a campaign to buy a bike for a kind-hearted cyclist.

Malkiat Singh, 70, raised cash for Sense, which helps deaf and blind children, by running the London Marathon for the 12th time this year.

The optician, who runs Eyes Rite in Dovercourt, was left devastated after hearing that callous crooks stole a bike belonging to Francis Mills, of Una Road, Parkeston, less than a month before he was due to tackle a 299-mile charity bike ride from London to Paris.

Mr Mills had bought the £550 white Trek bike especially for the charity effort in July, which was to raise cash for the fight against Batten disease in the name of seven-year-old Harry Rolph-Wills, of Dovercourt, who has been diagnosed with the disease.

The condition strikes children at a young age, deteriorating their sight, mobility and speech.

Mr Singh said: “The Sikh community was very sad to hear about the callous theft and we have pitched some money in.

“We would like to encourage the community to get behind Mr Mills and raise money to buy him another bike.

“I have run the marathon many times for children’s charities and after reading that Mr Mills was raising funds for terminally ill children, I just wanted to do my bit to help.

“If we all club together, we can get him a new bike in time for the charity event on July 20.”

Anyone who would like to donate towards the cause can do so at Eyes Rite opticians, in Kingsway, Dover - court.

Anyone with information about the theft, which happened at The Octagon, in Colchester, on June 20, should call Essex Police on 101.