A CAFE manager has told of her disgust at a thief who stole a collection tin containing hundreds of pounds to help a young girl from York with serious health issues.

The tin was taken from a market stall outside the Chill Cafe at about 2.30pm during last Saturday’s Acomb Light Switch-on event.

Jo Millner, who runs the cafe, in Front Street, Acomb, has been helping to raise funds for three-year-old Daisybella Bond, who suffers from Noonan Syndrome, a genetic disorder that causes a wide range of symptoms, such as heart abnormalities and unusual facial characteristics.

Daisybella also has epilepsy, a heart defect and blindness in one eye.

The cafe will have a Santa’s Grotto on certain dates from next weekend, and some of the money from ticket sales was being kept in the collection tin, which also contained donations from members of the public.

The funds raised were going towards helping Daisybella’s family create a sensory room for her at their home in Middleton Road, Acomb, which will help with her development and improve her quality of life.

Mrs Millner, who knows the family, said: “I was in tears about the whole thing. I was a bit of a mess.

“I feel like we have been working so hard to help Daisybella and it’s all been spoiled by one selfish person. It’s disgraceful.

“We are trying to raise £1,500, so the money stolen is a massive percentage of it.

“I know people are desperate. If they wanted a sandwich, if they were hungry I would have given them one, but I don’t think they have taken it for that reason.”

Daisybella’s mother Sarajane Bond said: “I was absolutely disgusted. I was more upset for Jo than for me – she was in tears.”

She said the sensory room would be built at the side of her home and provide a colourful, relaxing and safe environment for Daisybella and also for her 11-year-old daughter Gracimai, who also has epilepsy.

The room will cost about £5,000, including equipment such as colourful lights and crash mats to ensure the children do not hurt themselves if they have a fit and fall.

Daisybella’s mum said she had personally saved about £600, while a couple of shops had collection boxes and Daisybella’s grandmother was also contributing towards the cost, but the loss of the cafe’s collection tin was a huge blow.

“I had hoped we could get it by Christmas but that doesn’t look likely now,” she added.

The stolen tin had a poster wrapped around it, with a picture of Daisybella and details about why the money was being collected.

The theft has been reported to the police.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: “The theft of a charity collection is a cowardly and upsetting crime and we appeal to anyone who witnessed anything that afternoon or anyone with any information which could assist the investigation to come forward and contact us.”

Anyone with information should phone North Yorkshire Police on 101 and speak to the force control room, quoting reference number 12160213851.

The Santa’s Grotto event at Chill Cafe is an opportunity for children to visit Santa for half an hour and includes stories, songs, and a gift.

Sessions are available from 10am to 5pm on December 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21.

See www.chillcafe/events-tickets for more details.