Charity at a loss after cruel theft

A Frome charity has been left devastated after collection boxes placed in several shops in the town centre were stolen during a fundraising day.

And now Positive Action on Cancer (PAC), which supports cancer sufferers and their families, is appealing to the Frome community to rally round and help raise the shortfall the theft has caused.

The charity is trying to raise £200,000 over a two-year period so it can continue its vital counselling service.

According to the police, the thefts took place on Friday afternoon when a man went into four shops in the town, the Old Bakehouse and Frome Wholefoods, in Cheap Street, Frome Pet and Aquatics, in the Kingsway precinct, and Ellenbray Press, in the Westway Precinct, and cut the chains that the boxes were attached to, before walking out with the boxes of cash.

Rosie Eliot, volunteer coordinator for PAC, said the charity feels very sorry for the shops which agreed to take part in the charity's Purple Day.

She said: "We are very disappointed that somebody would do such a despicable thing to us. Everybody in Frome must know how hard we are working on our Listening Ear Appeal trying to raise £200,000 over a two-year period.

"The Frome Splash of Purple day was supposed to be a fun way of raising money and a fantastic opportunity for bringing the community of Frome together to support their much- needed local charity. This act has dampened the whole day.

"I just hope whoever committed this crime is feeling very ashamed of what they have done."

The collection box stolen from the Old Bakehouse has been found discarded in St John's churchyard but the others are still missing.

Linda Sanders, from the Old Bakehouse, has said the bakery will be fundraising over the next few days and is urging customers to be generous to somehow make up for the deficit.

She said: "We can't believe that someone would steal a charity box and we will be doing all we can to make up for the loss for such a worthwhile charity."

Police have issued a description of the man they would like to talk to.

He is described as being in his mid 20s, about 5ft 10in tall, of medium build, and he is believed to have been wearing blue jeans, white trainers and a black waterproof jacket.

He is thought to have been in Ellenbray Press between 4pm and 5pm.

A police spokesman said this is a particularly unpleasant crime.

He said: "We are of course appealing for any witnesses to this crime to come forward – did they see a man with collection boxes or do they recognise the man's description?

"Or if anyone has found a discarded charity box we would urge them to get in touch with us."

Mrs Eliot added: "We would like to ask those people who did not have the opportunity to buy a purple ribbon to support us and consider making a donation to Positive Action on Cancer at 2a Market Place, Frome, to help make up for the money stolen last Friday."

Anyone with information about the thefts is asked to contact Frome police on 0845 4567000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.