A SOUTHAMPTON man who rode the distance of Lands End to John o’ Groats raising more than £4K in aid of NHS workers has had his bikes stolen.

Tom Dickinson wanted to raise money for frontline NHS staff during the coronavirus crisis.

But after completing the gruelling feat he found thieves had broken into his shed and stolen his bikes on Wednesday night.

The 24-year-old says he had a sinking feeling and sat down with his head in his hands when he realised his road bike and winter training bike were gone from his home in Bellevue Road.

Tom, who works at Solent University physiology lab had teamed up with two colleagues to ride the distance of Lands End to John o’ Groats.

Due to the Government lockdown, the trio rode the journey ‘digitally’.

They hooked up their bikes to screens meaning they could ride the 874-mile journey from home and stayed in touch using computers.

Starting on Easter Monday and finishing on Wednesday, they each rode around 97 miles a day.

The sponsored trek was so Tom, Lee Bridgeman and Chris Morphew - The Lab Boys - could raise cash for “amazing NHS workers and show their appreciation for their efforts”.

At the time of writing, they have raised £4,110 with an overall target of £4,500.

Tom said: “The country is pulling together but there are still people going about stealing bikes.

“The people that took them should think about their actions and the consequences that they have.”

He added: “It was a tough ride. The reaction has been really positive and the money could potentially save lives.

“NHS workers are putting themselves out there on the frontline. If we can do anything in our power we want to try and help them. There has been massive support from the university, friends and family.”

Anyone with information about Tom’s bikes is urged to call police on 101, quoting 44200135126.