KIND-HEARTED Dorset Echo readers, stunned by the theft of a collection box filled with donations for disabled ex-servicemen and women, have already trebled the charity’s losses.

The theft, from a stall at Weymouth’s Veterans Festival, was described by Falklands War hero Simon Weston as ‘appalling, nasty and cowardly’.

Mr Weston, who helped raise the stolen £120 for the Royal Star and Garter Homes charity, added: “These so-called men, and I use the term loosely, ran away from women almost 60 years old who were running the stall.”

Liz Nelson, from Whitcombe, was the first person to contact the Echo after answering our appeal to help. Donating £250, she said: “I’m absolutely disgusted. I couldn’t believe it when I heard.

“I met Simon years ago and I’ve got one of his books. I just couldn’t believe it, it made my blood boil.”

The Weymouth Beach Group, representing seafront businesses, agreed to cover the full amount stolen.

Group member Gary Hayward said: “We were all sickened by this theft. The veterans festival is one of the most important events of the year.

“For someone to steal from veterans, injured fighting for this country, is simply sickening.”

Portland resident Malcolm Sutton has also donated £50.

He said: “This theft was disgusting, I just had to help.”

Star and Garter’s David Smyth said the donations were ‘marvellous’.

He added: “Hopefully something good, something positive, can come out of something bad like this.”

Thieves pounced on the seafront stall on Saturday afternoon, seconds after Mr Weston left to move his car.

He had been signing copies of his book Moving On. A percentage of book sales will be donated to the charity.

Mr Weston, 47, vice-president of the charity, said it was the first time in a decade he had seen any trouble at the Weymouth festival, which this year marks the beginning of celebrations ahead of the first Armed Forces Day on June 27.

The former Welsh Guardsman, who spent years recovering from burns after the troop ship Sir Galahad was bombed in 1982, added: “We always come for the veterans weekend, it’s very relevant to us and we see the same people year after year at our stand.”

The thief was a white man, about 6ft with a distinctive tattoo on his neck.

Anyone with information is asked to call PC Steadman on 01305 222 222.

If you would like to contribute please call Laura Kitching on 01305 830984 or make cheques payable to the Royal Star and Garter Homes and send them to Simon Weston c/o Dorset Echo, Fleet House, Hampshire Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 9XD.

Visit www.starandgarter. org for information.