A “BLOODRUNNER” has been left devastated after his “lifeline” motorbike which allowed him to carry out vital volunteering work was stolen from his shed.

Ray Winnett, 56, has been forced to stop delivering blood to hospitals across Essex after the £8,000 bike was stolen.

The victim’s home, in Long Road, Canvey, was targeted by crooks last Monday who broke into his garage.

Ray has been volunteering for Essex Voluntary Blood Services since he was made redundant last year.

He said: “It’s devastating when you go out to your shed and find it smashed and the bike gone.

“It’s very upsetting and then you find you can’t do the one thing that gets you out of the house.

“A big part of being a bloodrunner is helping other people. You never know if you’ve saved a life.”

After being made redundant and suffering an illness, Ray relied on his bike as a way to relax as well as work.

He added: “Last year, after I got made redundant, I needed to do something, so I joined Essex Voluntary Blood Services.

“After not being so well and losing my job, my bike has been a lifeline for me getting out and relaxing.

“The bike has been a lifeline for me as well as the people I run the blood for.”

The selfless volunteer has now had to pay out money from his own pocket to replace the bike so he can get back out volunteering until the insurance has been paid out.

Ray said: “I’ve replaced this bike out of my own pocket and that money isn’t coming back.

“The money I spent on my bike was the money I use to support my family.

“I can’t afford a bike as good as the one I lost.

“It’s all just a big disruption.”

Ray now has fears he could be targeted again.

“This has been my family home since 1973 and we have never been a victim of crime before. I’m sure a lack of street lighting has something to do with it.

“I have even more padlocks on my padlocks and an alarm on my shed.

“I do worry about being targeted again. It’s just a shame we have to take all these precautions.

“They don’t realise the loss to the individual. It’s not a victimless crime.”