HEARTLESS thieves have stolen the road bike used by former goalkeeper Bob Wilson to raise £330,000 in his late daughter’s memory.

Two years ago, the former Arsenal and Scotland goalkeeper cycled more than 500 miles on his Shorter road bike, visiting every English Premier League football club plus Hampden Park in Glasgow to raise money for the Willow Foundation.

But yesterday, the 71-year-old prepared to set off for one of his regular cycle rides along the seafront, only to discover thieves had cut through the lock and stolen the bike from the car port of his Christchurch home.

Bob said: “It was under cover, it was locked up and it was hidden from public view unless you actually walked onto our property.

“It’s a bike that raised £330,000 for my bike ride two years ago so it’s quite sad really. “It’s a bike that was built specially for me before I embarked on the Bob Wilson Soccer Cycle.” The unique charity was set up by Bob and his wife Megs in 1999, following the death of their daughter Anna.

The 31-year-old had suffered from a rare form of cancer and the Willow Foundation aims to provide special days and experiences for other seriously ill 16 to 40-year-olds. To date it has provided more than 9,000 special days for young adults battling with serious illnesses.

Bob said: “I’ve continued cycling and that’s my fitness regime now. I’ve only just got a bit of confidence back because I had a major crash two months ago on Tuckton Bridge.

“We’ve got a cycle challenge taking place for the Willow Foundation in Stevenage this summer and it would be a shame not to do it on the bike that has served me so well.”

Anyone with any information about the bike theft should contact Dorset Police on 101, quoting crime reference number C13D19012.