HEARTLESS thieves snatched a charity collection tin from a pub that is trying to help a terminally ill youngster.
Staff at The Three Blackbirds in St John’s Road, Boxmoor are backing 11-year-old Jamie Hodgson’s dream to go to Disney World in America.
But their efforts have been set back by crooks who nabbed the tin, which was thought to contain around £100.
Jamie’s mum Christine, of Meadow Close in Tring, said: “I think it is pretty low for them to steal a fundraising tin for a terminally ill child. It is the lowest of the low.
“Whoever did it may have been drunk but it is no excuse.
“Hopefully the police will catch them but I don’t hold my breath on that.”
Doctors do not know how long Jamie, who suffers from congenital heart disease and other health problems, has to live, which means every single moment is extra precious to parents Christine and Eddie.
Police say the thieves, believed to be two women, struck on Wednesday, May 16 between 11pm and 11.30pm. Anyone with information is asked to contact officers by calling 101 and quoting crime reference D1/12/3143.
The pub is planning a series of events throughout June to help send Jamie and his family to America, which has a price tag of around £12,000. A giant teddy bear will be raffled during this summer’s European Championships and in a bid to boost funds further Eddie plans to auction his England T-shirt, which has been signed by 22 players, and a giant dark chocolate Italian egg will also be put up for grabs.
The fundraising is part of Eddie and Christine’s efforts to make every moment with Jamie as special as possible.
As part of this the youngster got to meet players from Chelsea Football Club a week ago on Sunday.
Eddie, a Chelsea fan himself, said: “It was just awesome. It is another good memory that we have now achieved.”