AFTER having all their kit stolen just before a 1,000 mile charity bike ride a group of Penarth lads have vowed to continue until the bitter end after an overwhelming show of public support.

After thieves stole their support vehicle they were left with no supplies and only one bike to complete their relay challenge from Rome to Paris, but after a social media appeal they managed to raise a staggering £6,000 in 24 hours to get their challenge back on track.

Rhys Jenkins, Nick Louch, Adam Steed, Michael Keenan and Toby Rattray had been due to begin their charity bike ride from Rome to Paris in aid of the For Luca campaign on Saturday, April 19, when thieves struck.

They had been posing for a photo with one of their bikes in front of Rome's Colosseum when their support vehicle was stolen.

As well as their supplies it also contained their passports, money, four racing bikes, a mobile phone, bicycle equipment and all their clothes.

Italian Police later found the van, which had been borrowed from a family friend, ditched with almost nothing left inside and their passports discarded in a black bag.

On Tuesday the friends, all from Penarth, managed to get their epic challenge back on track and still plan to finish by Friday evening.

They have now cycled more than 350miles and their efforts have been further boosted by RED Recruitment, who Rhys Jenkins works for, offerting to buy them a second bike to complete the relay.

They are continuing their non-stop relay around the clock, and are taking it in turns for each three hour stint on the bike.

Rhys Jenkins, speaking from Rome, said that things were going well and that the weather was on their side, but said that it had been “a bit like a movie” so far.

“We never thought this would happen to us,” he said.

“When we were at the start and came back to see the van was gone we couldn’t believe it and it gradually got worse and worse.”

He added that they were planning on doing it without a support vehicle before it was found and they realised they could still complete the challenge.

The group had originally hoped to raise £1,000 for the For Luca campaign, which was set up to help provide prosthetics and care for the young Luca Williams after he lost both of his legs due to meningitis septicaemia, and were struggling to reach their target.

But after the charity raised awareness about the plight of the cyclists, asking if people could donate money so the friends could hire a minibus and continue the ride on just one bike, donations flooded in and they raised a staggering £6,000 in 24 hours.

Donations came in from hundreds of people, with many people showing their support and saying they had been inspired by the efforts of the boys as they vowed to carry on in tribute to Luca.

Rhys, who lives in Cogan, said that the response from the public was “unbelievable” and he was "gobsmacked" when donations started coming in.

“We couldn’t believe it when all the donations came flooding in,” he said.

“There were random strangers that had heard what happened and wanted to help.

“Everyone has been really supportive and encouraging us to do it.

“We now want to finish it to prove a point to the people that stole our stuff.”

Nick Louch, who is also taking part in the challenge, added: “We are back on track and now we are starting to enjoy it.

“Everyone’s support has spurred us on to finish it.”

To sponsor them go to: https://www.justgiving.com/Rome2ParisForLuca/