By Isle of Wight Observer“I cannot believe that someone would stoop so low,” is one reaction to the callous theft of money from a poppy appeal collection pot.
All Saints Church in Ryde had its poppy appeal money stolen just hours after the centenary of the exact moment the guns fell silent at the end of the First World War.
The stolen Royal British Legion donations are intended for those who fought for our country and their families who receive support from the charity.
Charlotte Atkinson, a RBL volunteer took to Facebook to vent her frustration and disgust at this low act.
She said: “I just want to say to the person who felt that their needs were greater than the needs of the countries armed forces veterans and their families who receive from the Royal British Legion support through the money raised by the Poppy appeal.
“I hope that with whatever money was in the Poppy collecting pot that you stole from All Saints Church at Ryde your needs have been dealt with.
“That money would have gone towards supporting men and women who put their life on the line without question and are going through issues you couldn’t even dream of in your worst nightmares…so that parasites like you can walk around our communities thieving whatever they like.
“You are not fit to lick the boots of these men and women or those of their families. Enough said!”
A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary said: “We are appealing for anyone who saw what happened when a charity collection was stolen from All Saints Church on Queen’s Road in Ryde, to contact us.
“We received a report yesterday that between 2pm on Wednesday 7 November and 5pm on Sunday 11 November a collection tin for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal was taken from a table at the rear of the church near the main door.”
Anyone with information should call 101 quoting crime reference number 44180428187.
Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where information can be left anonymously.
