FELIXSTOWE: Poppy appeal organisers today made a fresh plea for thieves who stole a collection tin to return it.

FELIXSTOWE: Poppy appeal organisers today made a fresh plea for thieves who stole a collection tin to return it.

It was taken from the Marlborough Hotel, Felixstowe, while it was hosting the 24th annual reunion for 140 members of the Royal Anglian Regiment.

Dawn Kemp, Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal organiser for Felixstowe and the Trimleys, who has labelled the theft as “absolutely disgusting”, said the tin was believed to have been half full - and could have had as much as �100 inside.

“Many of the ex-servicemen who were attending the reunion have in the last few days informed me that they were putting money into the poppy collecting tin throughout the day as they were not all aware that they had their own tin for the evening and are sure that the tin was at least half full,” she said.

“These collecting tins can hold as much as �250 in coins, not including notes that may have been donated.

“All we are likely to get back through insurance is around �17.50.”

She appealed for anyone seeing a poppy collecting box around the area to inform the police.

The collecting boxes are eight inches tall, plastic, and can be round or a curved triangular shape. They are bright red with a white label with blue writing saying 'Poppy Appeal'.

The tin was taken between 8pm and 10pm on Saturday, October 24.

Organisers of the Poppy Appeal in Felixstowe are working extremely hard this year, hoping to raise a record sum to help those who have served in wars and conflicts.

They launched their appeal with an armoured car and a symbolic red balloon launch.

Anyone who finds the poppy appeal box or knows who took it should call police on 01473 613500.

What do you think of the theft? E-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk or write to Star Letters, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN.