CHARITY cyclists believe their fundraising trip could be in jeopardy following the theft of their bike rack.

The Brotherton family, from Ribchester, is planning a 1,100 mile ride in Florida in September to raise £10,000 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Husband and wife Eric, 55, Sarah, 52, and their son Kyle, 27, chose Macmillan as nurses from the charity looked after Mrs Brotherton’s father Peter Marsden as he died from lung cancer.

But thieves snatched the bike rack from the back of their Range Rover Evoke as they were training for the event in Lytham St Anne’s, on Sunday.

It means they can no longer go to the areas that will give them the best training for the challenge.

Mr Brotherton, whose family runs Triangles Hair and Beauty, in Preston Old Road, Blackburn, said: “I think the people that did this are the lowest scum on the Earth.

“They must be to steal something that belongs to somebody else when all they are doing is raising money for charity.”

The trio, who are funding the US trip themselves, have been training on the coast three to four times a week as the wind will help them prepare for the conditions in the States.

They had been hoping to start their cycling quest in Orlando on September 21, racking up 50 miles a day for 28 days.

But without the practice, Mrs Brotherton said there was concern over whether they would be able to complete the tour.

“We really want to raise the money for Macmillan because my dad died from cancer and there are very few people that have not been affected. It is such a worthy cause.”

A spokeswoman for Lancashire Police said officers were looking into the theft. Anyone with information should call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

To find out more about the cycling challenge visit www.justgiving.com/Sarah-and-Eric-Brotherton