A 10-year-old son of a Ukrainian family returned to Monmouth after a trip to Ukraine to see family and visit his father's grave only to find his bicycle had been stolen.

Mark Havrylyshyn, who came to the UK under the 'Homes for Ukraine' scheme, lives with his mum in a flat in the Royal George House and was upset as the bike has sentimental value, and he hopes a public appeal might aid its recovery.

His mum Anastasia blames herself as she should have brought the bike inside or at least locked it up, but, as she said, they have never had any problems in the area.

She said: It's very upsetting because this bike was a symbol of friendship and a gift from Mark's schoolfriend.

“When there were lessons and the children needed to bring a bike to school she kindly offered to lend Mark her bike.

“Later, her parents wrote to us and asked that we keep the bike, saying it was a gift for Mark from his friend as a sign of this strong good and sincere friendship that's why we are, of course, very sad about this: The bike has symbolic value as well as sentimental value.

On hearing this, former mayor, Cllr David Evans approached Wyesham man Ken Breeze to see if he had anything Mark could use for now.

“I give Ken any bikes that I get for free from the Facebook marketplace. He does up and sells any adult bikes and uses the money to refurbish children's bikes. When it's cycling proficiency week at Kymin View School, he provides bikes for any children without one, and they can keep them at the end of the week”, he said.

Ken Breeze has a replacement bicycle for the young Ukrainian boy, Mark, to use until his own bicycle is recovered.

Cllr Evans went on to say: “I've lost track of the number of bikes I've given him over the years that he's refurbished and passed on to the children of Wyesham.”

Anastasia went to the police station last Friday but it was closed.

They're going back today, Monday September 15, with a friend as the mum struggles with her English.

“I've advised them that it could be reported via 101 as that's available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week” said David.

The Crime reference number is GWP20250915-0139 and any sightings of the bike should be reported via 101