POPPY Appeal fundraisers left outraged by a collection box theft from a sheltered housing scheme today told of their elation after generous donors came to the aid of veterans.

POPPY Appeal fundraisers left outraged by a collection box theft from a sheltered housing scheme today told of their elation after generous donors came to the aid of veterans.

Police were called in after the collection box, thought to contain between £40 and £70, was stolen from Cherryfields in Gippingstone Road, Bramford, earlier this month.

Bramford's Poppy Appeal organisers were infuriated by the theft as the money would have gone towards helping veterans and their families desperately in need.

But today the volunteers are smiling after three anonymous donors helped them exceed last year's fundraising efforts.

William Yallop, the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal organiser for Bramford and district, said: “I'm over the moon.

“The money shouldn't have been taken in the first place but I'm chuffed to bits we've had these donations.

“After something so cruel and despicable it's wonderful this has come about.”

The Evening Star revealed earlier this month that the thieves were thought to have struck when members of the public were allowed into Cherryfields, which mainly houses elderly residents, to attend a bingo night.

The collection tin was nabbed from the centre's reception desk.

After we reported the story three donors who were shocked by the theft contacted the Royal British Legion to help out.

One reader handed them a cheque for £200, another contributed £75, while a third donated £40.

Mr Yallop said: “I was gobsmacked when the donation for £200 arrived. The man who delivered it was very choked up about the theft.

“The donations are fantastic. It makes me feel that what I'm doing is worthwhile and there is some good in the world after all.

“The Poppy Appeal needs every penny, particularly with these people coming back injured and dead from the current conflicts.”

“We have beaten last year's total by £180. As a branch we have raised £1,723.75.”

Have you been helped out by a good Samaritan? What do you think of this theft? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

WEBLINK:

www.poppy.org