A heartless thief has swiped a bike used by an 11-year-old with Down’s syndrome.

Disability charity Children Today Charitable Trust has launched an urgent appeal to raise funds for a new specially-adapted piece of equipment for Herne Bay boy Zac Harvey.

The youngster is unable to pedal a regular cycle and had been using a second-hand adapted trike that was attached to his older brother’s bike - until the latter was stolen earlier this year.

Zac is now being robbed of the joy of family rides, as the trike cannot be used with any other bike.

His mum, Isabel Harvey, said: “We’ve been at a loss since this happened.

“The tag-along trike isn’t compatible with our bikes and because it’s such an old piece of equipment you can’t even buy adaptors any more

“Zac absolutely loves being out and about and we’ve always enjoyed family bike rides, but losing the bike has put an end to that.

“We’ve tried him on a regular bike, but he just hasn’t got the balance needed for it.

“He’s a long way off being able to cycle a regular bike independently, if ever at all.”

The bike the trike was attached to was taken by callous thieves in Glastonbury while the family were on a trip on May 29.

The trike could be used on its own, with Zac able to pedal by himself, or attached to his brother’s cycle for longer journeys.

Ms Harvey added: “It had a huge impact as we can’t go out because we can’t take Zac with us.

“He gets a great sense of joy being out with the family and it is an activity we can all do together.

“His brothers are 16 and 19 so there is less stuff they want to do with us, but [cycling] is something we all enjoy as a family.”

Children Today has pledged £1,000 towards the cost of Zac’s Tomcat trike - but the family still needs to raise a further £1,497 to purchase the equipment.

Ms Harvey added: “Zac is getting stronger, but he would struggle on a longer bike ride, so it would be great to have the option to attach his trike to ours if he gets too tired.

“It means we could go a bit further afield instead of being restricted to staying local.

“Having the independence to cycle on his own with the back-up of the attachment would open up a new lease of life for us again as a family."

According to Isabel, Zac is very sociable and active and loves a variety of sports, including football and tennis.

Any funds raised above what the charity needs to provide this equipment will go towards equipment for other children and young adults with a disability or life-limiting condition.

Emma Prescott, from Children Today, said: “It’s so important to help nurture the passions our children find and discover.

“Which makes it all the more heartbreaking to think Zac’s no longer able to enjoy family bike rides due to someone’s selfish act. But we can change that.

“Every little really does go a long way, so any donation small or large could help Zac get pedalling again and enjoy being a part of the family bike rides he loves once more.”