CHARITY collector Mary Reynolds is angry after the theft of a Rupert Bear collecting box which was much-used by children to donate scarce pocket money.

She said she felt it was particularly mean that they took the Muscular Dystrophy box from Ruspidge Post Office, where children called for sweets on their way to and from school.

"Another two collection boxes for other charities were left alone. I think they picked the Rupert box because it was closest to the door," she said.

"It would not have held much money – at the most we get £16 or so but because the Rupert Bear box is used by children to put there pennies in it would hold £8 at the most even it is was full and probably much less than that."

Mrs Reynolds, who is on the committee of the local branch of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign and also collects for the British Heart Foundation, said she found the plight of young people with muscular dystrophy – a fatal muscle-wasting condition for which there is no known cure – extremely touching.

"About 30 years ago when I met my husband he knew somebody with two boys who suffered from it, one 18, one 21, and they did not survive for long. They were lovely young people in spite of their plight," she said.

"Even today the life expectancy for someone who contracts muscular dystrophy is little more than 20 years at the most."

And she has a message for the thieves – she hopes they never have to watch a loved one slowly being paralysed by the condition.

•Anyone who would like to help the campaign or make a donation can contact the branch chairman, Mrs Lifa Oakley of May Hill, on 01452 830025.