Ipswich Building Society has donated �100 to the Poppy Appeal after The Evening Star reported how a collection tin had been stolen from a seafront hotel.

FELIXSTOWE: Ipswich Building Society has donated �100 to the Poppy Appeal after The Evening Star reported how a collection tin had been stolen from a seafront hotel.

The box was taken from the Marlborough Hotel during the 24th annual reunion of the Royal Anglian Regiment on Saturday, October 24 - the day the Poppy Appeal was launched.

It had only been on the reception desk for a few hours before the theft took place.

Dawn Kemp, Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal organiser for Felixstowe, branded the theft as “absolutely disgusting”.

Following the �100 donation, she said: “We are absolutely delighted that Ipswich Building Society has helped us in this way.

“Losing the previous tin was a real blow, but thanks to the support of the society, we will be able to carry on supporting the Royal British Legion's charity work. We couldn't thank them enough.”

Ipswich Building Society's finance director Kieron Blackburn said: “The theft of money intended to support ex-servicemen and their families is bad enough, but to steal this money during the Royal Anglian reunion is truly shocking.

“As both a member of the Territorial Army, and a director at Ipswich Building Society I am delighted to make this donation and show our support for the Royal British Legion.”