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Collection tin for heroes stolen
'Despicable'. This is how a soldier's widow summed up thieves who snatched a collection box in aid of the Help for Heroes charity.
Thugs stole the cash-packed tin from the counter of a busy Sunderland cafe.
Now bosses from the charity – which supports soldiers left injured while fighting for our country – fear the callous thieves could cash in on the good cause by using the box to collect money for themselves.
The crooks struck at Midas Touch Cafe, Blind Lane, Silksworth, some time on Sunday, stealing the collection box from the counter while staff were busy.
Cafe workers are unsure how much cash the full box contained, but have put the sum at possibly hundreds of pounds.
News of the theft has left soldiers and relations reeling.
Lorna Roney, 21, whose husband Christopher Roney, 23, was killed in Afghanistan in December, is a staunch supporter of Help for Heroes, which raises funds for soldiers wounded on duty.
Lance Corporal Roney's grandad, two uncles and brother William, 30, also served in the Army.
Lorna, originally from Southwick, said: "This is disgraceful and I think it's so wrong. This is stealing money that's going to such a good cause.
"The people who did this are just despicable and sick."
Trooper Glen Hamilton, 23, of the Light Dragoons, also hit out at the thieves.
Glen, of Hylton Road, Pennywell, said: "It's just unbelievable that someone could do this. If the people who have done this saw the true extent of where the money being raised is going, I dare say they'd have second thoughts.
"It's quite sick, to tell you the truth."
Fears have now been raised that the thieves may use the box across the city to collect money from unsuspecting donors.
Steve Foster, area representative for Help for Heroes, said: "My main concern is that somebody who has got this in their hands can use it to get more cash from people, so people need to be wary.
"Anyone collecting money for Help for Heroes has to be part of a group organisation and will have a reference number.
"If anyone is suspicious, ask for the reference number and contact Help for Heroes to check it.
"The collection box that was stolen was nearly full, so there was a substantial amount of money in it.
Police are investigating. Anyone with information is asked to phone 03456 043 043.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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