As most grey nomads know, Â the danger of thieves striking at caravan parks and camping areas is sadly an increasing one … but sometimes it goes beyond the disappearance of a campchair, fishing rod, or even a camp fridge.
The theft of a bicycle from a caravan park in Mandurah in Western Australia overnight may not in itself be that unique or startling, but the fact that the bike belonged to a man who is riding solo around Australia for charity brings home the impact and the cruelty of these sorts of crimes.
Chris Anderson, 33, cycled out of Frankston in Victoria on May 1 to raise money and awareness for Beyond Blue, which helps people living with depression. Having made it across the Nullarbor and the southern half of Western Australia, he was resting at the Mandurah park when disaster struck.
“I heard someone at about three this morning tinkering around outside … I went straight outside, but the bicycle was already gone,” he told the ABC. “It was my first day in town and my first night here and someone has pinched my bike … I just can’t believe it actually happened. It’s just a low-life act.”
Mr Anderson, who calls himself the ‘Lone Aussie Rider’ on Facebook, said the distinctive black Avanti bicycle, which features Beyond Blue stickers, cost $1,000 but was donated to him for the charity ride.
Despite the theft, Mr Anderson told the ABC he planned to get another bike and finish his 20,000 kilometre ride around Australia’s coast which he estimates will take him about 12 months to complete.
He set himself a goal of raising $20,000 and has so far received more than $2,000 in donations.
Theft happensevery were these days unfortunitly. Some people do not respe t other persons property. Riding for charity is a good cause. Hope he does not have anyfurther problems.
Secondly. My grandchildrengo to primary school and names are written on tags in clothing such as coats and hats so if lost they can be returned. Parents find these items and cut the name tags off to steel for their children. Scum bags. How can children learn right from wrong to not steel when parents do this. Any wonder the bike was stolen.
Been travelling full time for past 10 years. Had a couple of incidents but not to bad. Currently at Foreshore caravan Park, Nambucca Heads NSW. Have had several incidents. Everything is chained up now. Brought a nice piece of Rolled pork to cook. Left in Engel. Next morning stolen. Thieves also tried to steal my cooker. Started to undo gas fitting on back and realised it was chained up. Wasn’t until next night when I lit cooker and flames shot up 30 cm from back of cooker did I realise what had happened. Luckily no damage done BUT could have been quite serious. Last week wen online and purchased a motion sensor alarm system. I installed it. That night 1.30am off it went. Bloody hell was it loud. I reckon the thieves would be still running. I am still trying to get the wife to let go of the smoke detector on the ceiling above the bed. Went off again this morning 4am. This time I had re adjusted the sensors and think it may have been set off by a little old lady in her eighty’s on the way to an early toilet break. I hope she made it. Ill have to readjust the sensor again.
Rheo