THEY were struck by thieves for the third time in a year.

But that failed to put the brakes on a special training session for members of Andover BMX Club, who welcomed current world champion Kelvin Batey to the town.

Now owners are appealing for help from the Test Valley community to keep the club going and help them lay on even more events like this in the future.

As previously reported by the Advertiser, bosses at the club feared the training session with Kelvin would not take place after thieves made off with almost £10,000-worth of kit from the group’s equipment store in Charlton Playing Fields days before the world champ’s visit.

The gang, which police say would have contained at least two or three people, made off with 11 bikes as well as helmets and specialist tools.

But defiant members of the club pressed on with the oncein- a-lifetime training session ahead of last weekend’s Deep South Winter Series in Runnymede, although some riders were not able to take part due to a shortage of riding gear.

Club owner William Plowman said: “Some of the children couldn’t train because we didn’t have enough bikes for them.

“It was definitely the little ones that suffered.

“But, overall, the riders who trained with Kelvin had a fantastic race day in Runnymede after that.”

William has appealed for help from local businesses and volunteers to help install CCTV cameras.

The club has been running in Andover for 18 years and five of their members are currently training for next year’s world championships in the Netherlands.

William said: “I’m the chairman and head coach and it has been a real kick in the teeth for me because I have fought so hard to get us where we are.

“I would be grateful of help from anybody.

“At the end of the day the club is for the community and we don’t have a huge amount of money anymore.”

Anyone with information on the raid, which took place on December 9, should call Andover Police Station on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

l Anyone wishing to donate to the club can send cheques payable to Andover BMX and post them to 24 Ludbeck Drive, Andover SP10 4LJ.

For information about the club and other ways to help visit andoverbmx.co.uk.