A COLLECTING box full of cash raised to help a little boy battling cancer has been stolen.

The sickening crime was caught on CCTV as a thief took the tin full of cash raised for Bradley Lowery from the counter of The Lunch Box in Yoden Road, Peterlee on Sunday morning.
 

Footage of the theft was shared thousands of times on social media by a community horrified that someone would steal money destined to help the five-year-old’s fight against neuroblastoma.

The owner of the popular sandwich shop declined to speak to the media on police advice, but confirmed there had been a tin on the counter of the shop for a number of years, which was regularly refilled by generous customers with the money donated to the campaign.

The Northern Echo:

Bradley Lowery in hospital

At the time the theft took place, the tin was full.

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary said: “A charity box for cancer battler Bradley Lowery has been stolen.

“Officers in Peterlee are searching for a suspect after the box was taken from the counter of The Lunch Box in Yoden Road, Peterlee.

“Police were alerted after the box was found nearby just after 11am this morning”.

Five-year-old Bradley’s brave battle with terminal cancer has touched the nation.

Later this month, the Blackhall youngster is due to lead out the England football team at Wembley alongside his hero Jermain Defoe when he is mascot at the World Cup qualifier against Lithuania.

In interviews at the weekend, the England striker revealed he has placed a picture of the youngster on his locker at the Stadium of Light.

“Every time I look at the picture, it’s emotional,” the player said. “I’m trying not to cry. 

The news comes as Bradley is preparing for yet another round of hospital appointments in his ongoing fight.

His family posted an update on Facebook saying the little battler had been unwell on Friday but had enjoyed a night at his grandparents’ caravan ahead of another week of medical tests.

They said: “The week ahead he will be up the hospital to get his bloods checked and unfortunately I think he is going to need his feeding tube put back in because he is not eating enough and is losing weight.

“Bradley will not like this as it is traumatic getting it in, however he needs to be nutritionally well to keep his energy levels up to fight the nasties”.

  • Anyone with information is asked to call Durham Police on 101.