A CHARITY which supports children with Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities has been left reeling after fundraising buckets containing £150 were stolen from a parked car.

Thieves smashed a window to gain access to the secure red Ford Ka sometime after midnight on Saturday, July 25 and made off with two buckets full of donations for Heel and Toe.

The car was parked in York Terrace in Willington and the donations had been locked away in the boot overnight.

Volunteers for the Chester-le-Street-based charity had been collecting in Marks and Spencer in Durham City all that day and news of the theft has “disgusted” police and the public.

Katie Hall, a former Durham University Student who volunteered for Heel and Toe, immediately set up an online fundraising page to replace the missing cash and more than £80 has already been pledged.

Miss Hall said: “Similar collections have raised around £200, so that’s what I’ve chosen as my target, though any amount raised would be wonderful and help to make some good from this horrible situation.”

Amanda Tweedy, fundraising officer at Heel and Toe, said: “I felt sick to the stomach when I heard about the theft. The buckets are clearly marked with our label on. I can’t believe someone would actually steal from a charity that helps local children.

“We have to raise £500,000 a year to continue providing our service to children across the North-East. We don’t receive any Government funding so all that money needs to be raised by ourselves, a small team of fundraisers, and volunteers who work so hard on our behalf.”

Heel and Toe provides children with Cerebral Palsy and other physical disabilities essential therapies and is the only organisation in the region to offer free conductive education.

On Facebook, its supporters reacted with anger.

One woman wrote: “That’s absolutely disgusting. How could anybody steal from a charity?! I hope they get their comeuppance.”

Another posted: “Was shocked to hear someone could do this.”

PC Shaun McCarroll, of Crook Police, appealed to anyone with information to get in touch, adding:

“We at the police are absolutely disgusted that somebody could steal a fundraising bucket destined for a charity, a charity that supports children with special needs.”

To make a donation, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/HTStolenBuckets

Anyone with information about the theft should contact police on 101, quoting incident number DHM-26072015-0130 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.

To find out more about Heel and Toe visit heelandtoe.org.uk