The mother of a young man who died a hero off a South West beach in 2012 has made a heartbreaking plea for the return of her son's bike.
Kane Nelson lost his life while trying to rescue a drowning man at Redgate Beach.
He was 22 at the time of the tragedy, and his body was never recovered.
Kane's mother, Christine, kept sentimental items belonging to her son as mementos of her much-loved child.
Included in these items was a Giant STP 1 bike she had lovingly reconditioned.
The missing bike is a Giant STP 1. Photo: Supplied.
Some time on Thursday evening the dirt jumper was stolen from her Perth home.
The bike was posted for sale on Gumtree on Saturday, and by Sunday it had been sold.
"Unfortunately my son died," Christine told 6PR's Perth Live on Tuesday.
"This was just a little bit of him I just wanted to hold onto.
"It might seem silly to some, but it's kind of nice to hold on to the bike.
"It's just a little part of him that's gone; another part."
The bike is understood to have sold for $320, and Christine said she would happily buy another bike for whoever has her son's.
"It does make me feel bad some kid's probably out there feeling really chuffed he's got a good deal," she said.
"But I'll buy [them] one.
"I just want the bike back."
Perth Live's Oliver Peterson urged listeners to share Christine's story "far and wide" in the hope the bike could be returned to Kane's mother.
"I can't get my boy back," Christine said.
"I just want these little memories of him."
If you know the whereabouts of Kane's bike call 6PR – 9221 1882.
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Margaret River Mail
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