AN OPPORTUNISTIC thief managed to steal a bike from a garage while a good Samaritan was parcelling donations to be sent to Gambia.

The fold-up bike was meant to be sent to the country on Africa's west coast to help aid workers get around the village of Nyofelleh.

Kevin Sanders was moving back and forth between his garage and living room in Salisbury Close, Ronkswood on Sunday carrying bags of donations.

While he was in his living room, a thief sneaked in and grabbed the black and red fold-up bike, a Giant Halfway, with Mr Sanders finding paint scrape marks in an alleyway near his home.

He said: "I was packing a quite considerable donation of sports equipment from Bristol University.

"The garage was open because I was going in and out moving things into the house and down the side when someone sneaked inside picked up bike and made off with it.

"You can see a scrape mark down the side of the alleyway.

"I didn't notice anything. I haven't got a clue who took it. I'm dumbfounded."

Mr Sanders set up Nyofelleh Gambia Help Me 2 Help Them in December 2014 after visiting the country with the aim of sending over donations to help improve the lives of people living in the village.

He fell in love with the place on a trip to the country in 2013.
The bike was due to be sent out by container shipment on Monday, October 17 while he and partner Melanie Field are planning to fly out in December.

They take items such as sewing machines, carpentry and farming tools as well as secondhand clothing over to help people in the village.

The 48-year-old hopes that because the bike is rare it will be easier to spot: "I've never seen a bike like it ever - you just don't seem them around."

The break-in took place between 9.30am and 1pm and anyone with information should call 101 quoting reference number 365 S 250916.