David Lychko, aged 14yrs, arrived in Ashbourne last July as a result of the war in Ukraine. His family home was close to the fighting so his mother and father, along with 7 siblings, elected to seek safety, initially in Poland . A kind Ashbourne sponsor then offered them a home in Ashbourne. David had a basic level of English on his arrival but very quickly improved his language skills whilst also joining QEGS school Yr 10.

He has always enjoyed cycling and through charity links with James Archer (Theotrust charity) he had the opportunity to join James on several mountain bike adventures in Derbyshire. James quickly spotted his enormous talents on a bike and so took him further afield…to Cannock Chase. Here he simply shone. Meanwhile David, driven to earn some money, secured work at the Star Anise restaurant in Compton thanks mainly to the help given by his good friend Aiden Perrott, also at QEGS. After his cannock experience David did not hesitate to spend all his £1500 earnings (a hard worker!) on a secondhand good quality mountain bike. He loved his new bike and could regularly be seen around Ashbourne delivering Indian food for his work and getting to/from the leisure centre where he frequently spends time in the gym and pool.

On Sunday 29th January he used his bike, as usual, to get to his work at 6.40pm. However, he didn’t know that three young men were watching him and despite locking his bike securely at the back of the building, it was ripped off the gutter pipe it was attached to and taken away.

I’m sure you can imagine that to have such a pride and joy stolen is awful but after a year of upheaval, war experience, moving to a new country and then having to adjust to a new life, this is simply unfair. He is a really active and charming young lad who was enjoying life so much in Ashbourne but to say this has upset him a great deal would be an understatement.

If anyone has information leading to the arrest of these youths then please contact the police where the theft has been registered.

We really want to help David with a replacement bike and to show him that Ashbourne people are mostly kind and genuine. To that end we have set up this Just Giving page and would truly appreciate any generosity to could show to help David acquire a replacement bike.