A HEARTLESS thief stole an appeal box containing a Christmas present fund for the five children of a man who suffered from cancer and who died this week.
Popular Old Park Close resident Marc Bannister, 38, died on Monday after contracting cancer of the bladder earlier this year.
Friends and neighbours rallied to support the family and before Marc died a collection was set up at Folly Hill Post Office for his children.
More than £140 had been donated to the fund when it was stolen by a youth who snatched the collection box from the front counter.
In spite of this, said Merryl Baker, who jointly runs the post office, people have continued to donate money and further contributions are welcome.
She said: "We are a close-knit community round here and have only known for a few weeks about Marc's illness and have been so upset by this.
"The boy who took the donation box had obviously noticed it there previously, as he knew exactly where it was and quickly grabbed it. The police were here within three minutes.
"I know the family well and one of their sons is a paper boy here. I am amazed that someone could have stooped so low and deprived the family in their last few days together, especially with Christmas coming soon."
Marc's wife Sue Bannister spoke to The Herald and was similarly dismayed at the incident, in light of everyone's generosity.
Explaining Marc was diagnosed with kidney stones several months ago, she said his condition had not been treatable by chemotherapy.
The Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice had offered to look after Marc, but he had requested to spend his remaining days at home with his family.
She said he had fought hard against his illness and had been a great father to their children.
She added she would "love and miss him forever, and he will live on through so many people".
Mrs Bannister said: "My children and I would like to say thank you to so many people.
"The most important are Louise and Jem Trantham and family for being the best friends anyone could ever ask for. I would also like to thank Penny Warner for all her help, and especially my mum for being there when needed, and also Merryl at the post office."
She added that Boots warehouse, where Marc worked, and Woolworths in Aldershot, where she worked, had also given the family brilliant support, as had the children's schools.
Family friend and neighbour Jane Warner said the Bannisters are a "lovely family who will do anything for you. They did not deserve this".
Appealing to anyone who knows the identity of the appeal box thief to come forward, she described it as a "diabolical" act.
Anyone who has any information about the incident should contact Pc Paul Jones at Farnham Police on 01252 716262.