BUDDING cyclists have been overwhelmed by the public's generosity after kind-hearted donors have handed over 15 sets of wheels after a shock theft late last year.

Cruel thieves raided Palmer Park Sports Stadium in December stealing a dozen bikes used by youngsters at the centre's after-school clubs and leaving them without a way to practice.

But following an impassioned plea people from Berkshire and beyond have dug deep into their pockets get help the youngsters get back on their bikes.

The sessions were organised by national cycling charity CTC and the group's development officer Javed Saddique helped out in organising the public appeal.

Welcoming those who offered to help out to a special handover ceremony last Thursday, Javed described the generosity as "incredible".

Among the families helping out were Clare French, 8, and her brother Matthew, 6, from Lower Earley.

Their mum Helen said: "I heard about the theft and the appeal for bike donations purely by chance when one of my friends, who is a keen cyclist, posted the CTC story on Facebook.

"Clare and Matthew were lucky enough to get new bikes at the end of last summer as they had outgrown their old ones. They were very keen to help and didn’t hesitate to say they wanted their old bikes to be donated, as there is still lots of life left in them.

"I regularly take the children out cycling. They both learned so much when they went to Javed's sessions at Palmer Park, and several of my friends have attended with their children. It was nice to be able to help after such a mean and thoughtless theft."

As a way of saying thank you, Javed is offering free cycling sessions for the children of all those who have donated bikes.

He said: "I felt very down after the theft but it's turned out to be a very happy New Year thanks to the incredible generosity of local people. We would have been struggling to continue the sessions in the short-term if it hadn’t been for their help.

"Several people offered to pass on their children’s old bikes after Santa delivered new ones for Christmas.

"On behalf of CTC and Reading Borough Council I would like to say how much we appreciate these donations and the fact they will be able to benefit the next generation of cyclists. This amazing generosity has helped restore my faith in human nature."

Police have been unable to recover any of the stolen bikes.