FRIENDS Esther Amery and Leigh-Anne Crossley, who are on a charity bike ride across South East Asia, have been hit by three cases of bad luck – and all in one day!

Ms Amery explained how she and friend Leigh-Anne had woken up to find someone had attempted to steal their bikes as the locks had slits in them.

Second, during the day, Leigh-Anne was hit by a scooter which drove into the back of her, leaving Ms Crossley shaken-up but not hurt.

Then to top it all off, Esther lost her wallet full of cards and cash during the day but doesn’t know where or how.

On a brighter note, Ms Amery said: ‘While we pass through the villages and countryside we have been talking to locals about their culture, cuisine and history.

‘This week we enjoyed a meal cooked by a local couple who invited us back to their home, advising us on the best routes to travel.

‘We have experienced blistering heat, where we were forced to wear our jackets to protect our skin, and torrential rain, where flooding occurs within minutes.’

The girls, who have cycled 3,370km in 32 days, rescued a kitten they found on a busy highway.

The pair put the cat on Leigh-Anne’s shoulder before cycling 16km to the city to drop it off to safety.

The teachers, who are set to return to the UK in December, have so far raised more than £1,700 for mental health charity Mind.

Visit www.justgiving.com/Esther-Amery if you would like more information on the girls’ adventure or would like to sponsor them.