A FORMER sailor pushing a fridge around the country for a military monument has blasted a ‘despicable’ thief who stole his collection tin.

Matthew Hollox, who is a former Royal Navy diver and sonar operator, had just arrived in Bridport town centre after walking 18 miles from Weymouth when the theft happened.

Police have appealed for witnesses to the incident just after 5pm on Friday outside the library in South Street.

Matthew, aged 50, of Nottingham, said: “It’s absolutely despicable.

“It’s like grave robbery. If I met the person responsible I would feel like I would want to rip their head from their shoulders.

“I imagine most of the people who donated money would feel the same way.

“Whoever did it is one of the lowest people on this Earth.”

He added: “It is a shame because I have had a fantastic welcome in Weymouth and Bridport otherwise.

“People of all age groups have been so neighbourly.”

About £30 to £40 was taken – collected on Matthew’s walk from Weymouth to Bridport – from the fridge’s bucket.

Matthew retrieved the orange bucket but the money was gone.

He said: “I just went into the library for five minutes to try and find some accommodation for the night when it was stolen.

“If anyone saw anything or anyone milling around outside the library, please call the police.

“We need to catch the culprit.”

The theft happened at 5pm to 5.30pm.

Matthew stayed at the Fleet Cottage guesthouse in Bay Road on Friday before moving to the Nag’s Head in Lyme Regis on Saturday.

District councillor Ros Kayes, who is also the Lib Dem parliamentary candidate for South Dorset, said: “This is outrageous.

“It is absolutely despicable that someone should do this.

“People in Bridport will want to repay the money and I’ll endeavour to do my best for him.”

Danny Boon, who is a committee member of the Bridport Royal British Legion, added: “It is terrible.

“The world has changed. Some people are generous and smashing but others do this sort of thing.

“Our branch has had collection boxes stolen in the past three years.”

Matthew packed in his job as a bus driver to push the fridge 3,000 miles around the British Isles in aid of the National Memorial Arboretum Appeal.

He has named his 200kg fridge Sarah after Sarah Bryant, the first British servicewoman to lose her life in Afghanistan.

He was inspired to do something to honour the fallen after being moved by scenes from Wootton Bassett, the Wiltshire town famous for honouring fallen soldiers.

Matthew hopes to raise £3million from the odyssey.

Sgt John Osborne, of Dorset Police, said: “Mr Hollox was the victim of a theft and we are appealing for witnesses.”

A man in his twenties from the Bridport area has been arrested and released on police bail.

Witnesses and anyone with information is urged to call the police on 01305 222222.