THIS is the moment a grey-haired thief was captured on CCTV camera stealing a charity box filled with your cash.

The box, on the front counter of the Adver's head office in Victoria Road, contained donations for the Swindon Cancer Appeal.

The money will help pay for three Macmillan carers to ease the suffering of cancer patients in our town.

Today we ask you to help us catch this crook.

Swindonians have expressed their outrage after a callous thief stole a cancer charity box from the Evening Advertiser offices.

The crook, seen here in images from our CCTV cameras, entered the Advertiser reception in Victoria Road.

Film from the security cameras show him leaning against the front desk and picking up the collection box for the Swindon Cancer Appeal.

He is then seen casually slipping it under his coat before walking out through the main doors again last Friday morning.

The theft happened in broad daylight when Old Town was busy with shoppers and workers.

The incident has upset cancer sufferer Beryl Cotterill whose battle against the disease helped to launch the appeal.

The 67-year-old, of Wheeler Avenue, Stratton, has terminal cancer which spread from her ovaries.

"Whatever will they do next," she said. "It's disgusting don't they realise that this money would have helped people who are fighting for their lives?

"How low can someone go? My estimation of people has been dented by this, but then again we shouldn't forget that so many people have done so much for the appeal."

Beryl relies on her Macmillan nurse for help and friendship when she is feeling down. "I just couldn't live without her," she said.

Appeal manager Graziella Campisano said she was appalled by the theft of the box, which probably contained about £20.

She said: "I am so cross and upset. Someone has deliberately walked in to the Advertiser reception and taken the box of money.

"They have taken away money that was meant for a very good cause, for helping people who are living with cancer.

"The CCTV camera was trained on the box and this will be studied so I'm sure we will find the person responsible."

There are now fears that the thief could use the box to collect money for himself.

Graziella said: "I'd like to ask people to be on the lookout for any Swindon Cancer Appeal boxes which may have had their sticky seal tampered with.

"Most of the time there is a perfectly reasonable explanation and we will immediately issue another collection box if there is a problem.

"But occasionally the boxes have been tampered with.

"We mustn't forget we have so many lovely people in Swindon helping to collect money."

Graziella added that since the appeal started, some five boxes have been stolen from various points around the town, including Blunsdon's mobile shop last October.

Macmillan nurse Vanessa Davey, who specialises in palliative care at the Great Western Hospital, was outraged.

"What is wrong with people?" she said. "I just can't believe it it's awful.

"Whoever did this has taken away money which would have helped ease the suffering of people with cancer.

"They obviously have no consideration for the feelings of others."

The Swindon Cancer Appeal was launched in March last year with the aim of raising £600,000 in three years for Macmillan nurses.

The cash will pay for two specialist Macmillan nurses and a consultant in palliative care, who will support people living with cancer in Swindon and Marlborough.

The cash will pay for the positions for three years, after which they will be funded by the NHS.

Alvina Kumar, spokeswoman for Swindon Police, said: "This theft is contemptible. I cannot understand the mentality of anyone stealing a charity box.

"Many lives have been touched by cancer and the Swindon Cancer Appeal provides much-needed care and support for patients, family and friends.

"They are dependent upon donations to carry on their invaluable work.

"Anyone with information relating to this despicable crime is asked to contact Swindon Police on 01793 528111."

So far £375,000 has been raised.

On Sunday hundreds of cyclists will take to the hills in the Macmillan Castle Mountain Bike Ride.

The route follows the Ridgeway in a loop of the Downs, and cyclists can choose a 10, 15 or 25-mile ride. Last year's event raised more than £7,700.

To register your fundraising event or to find out more about the appeal contact Graziella on 01793 601636.

Visit www.castlesbikeride.co.uk for information on the bike ride.

Alex Emery

Tamash Lal