‘Heartless’ thieves take eye cancer charity box (From York Press)

‘Heartless’ thieves take eye cancer charity box

9:05am Tuesday 4th September 2012 in News By Mike Laycock, Chief reporter

HEARTLESS thieves in York have stolen a collection box, used to raise funds for an eye cancer charity, for the third time in less than a year.

Judith Crowe, manager of Vision Express in Parliament Street, York, has condemned the theft of cash intended for the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust, which supports families and individuals affected by the rare eye cancer retinoblastoma.

She said: “You don’t steal anyway, but to steal from charity – it’s the lowest of the low. I know my views on this, but would like to know what your readers think.”

She said tourists and residents often made generous donations after Vision Express had carried out free repairs on their spectacles.

The collection box was stolen some time last Thursday. Judith said: “I know it was there on Wednesday night and noticed it had gone on Thursday evening.”

She pledged she would not be deterred from putting out another charity box, and said one had been ordered.

Joy Felgate, chief executive of the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust, which also raises awareness of the signs and symptoms of the condition and funds research into the disease, said she was saddened to hear about the three thefts.

She said: “We rely solely on donations to run our vital service offering support for devastated families and their seriously ill children when they need it most.

“The culprits are depriving babies and young children who are fighting eye cancer from the benefits of a better support service.

“We would like to thank the people of York for their continued support and urge them not to be discouraged from making future donations because of the heartless acts of petty thieves.”