Harlesden bike theft victim in charity ride using donated cycle

Bryan Brown with the Crank Jesters (Image: Archant)

Thanks to an appeal in the Times, Bryan Brown, who lives on the Roundwood Estate, is joining a Santa Cruise to raise money for Echo, a charity which supports children and young people with heart conditions.

The 42-year-old said: “I’m going to dress up as an elf because I don’t have a BMX and everyone else on the ride does and I happen to have an elf outfit which fits in with the theme.”

Mr Brown had his beloved bicycle stolen in July where it was attached to the railings outside him home the top floor of the estate.

The unique bicycle, one of only five in London, was at his address when he popped out for three hours but had vanished on his return.

The new bike is called Boogiedown Blues (Image: Archant)

An appeal by the Times for the return of the £800 bicycle reached a collective by the name of Crank Jesters in Bournemouth who built Mr Brown a replacement and called it Boogiedown Blues.

He said: “My facebook name is Boogie Down Brown. The guys who built it didn’t want to make the bike brown so that’s where it’s got its name.

He added: “When my Chopper was stolen I felt like I’d lost a friend. It’s amazing that these guys put it upon themselves to build me a new bike. They’d never met me, never spoken to me, didn’t know my history, if I was good or bad.

“They gave it to me on Halloween and we went out for a ride, me with them and their phenomenal bikes.

Bryan Brown with his treasured bicycle before it was stolen (Image: Archant)

“I felt privileged and honoured.”

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Related link: Appeal to find unique Nirve Cannibal Chopper bike stolen in Harlesden