A CHARITY volunteer has thanked the kind hearted Tavistock community for helping make the charity’s Christmas after it was the victim of a theft.

A donation box for pancreatic cancer was stolen at Tavistock Parish Church’s Christmas Tree Festival earlier this month.

The box, believed to have contained £100 to £150, was snatched from the base of a tree decorated by a pancreatic cancer charity on Saturday, December 8. The theft took place just six days after a donations jar for the tree festival was stolen from the church.

But Tavistock resident Jean Keast, the Devon representative for Pancreatic Cancer Action, has said that the theft has brought out the Christmas spirit of the local community with donations flooding in for the charity — increasing the amount raised six-fold to £700.

She said that when news of the theft travelled, donations started pouring in.

‘Within one day we received £400 on my JustGiving page,’ said Jean.

‘It restores your faith in humanity after something like this.’

The donations box was with the tree that featured the names of 130 pancreatic cancer victims from around the world.

Jean became involved in the charity when she lost her brother Paul Harris from the cancer five and a half years ago.

When Jean found out about the theft she said she felt choked: ‘I was so upset by the theft, I couldn’t stop crying. It’s bad enough stealing from the church, but to steal the cancer money it’s beyond belief.

‘I want to thank everyone who has donated, it’s fantastic and I am so touched,’ added Jean.

‘I have had £700 come in which is phenomenal and the phone has not stopped ringing.

‘I am humbled — this is a wonderful response. I have had donations of £100 which is amazing and we have had donations of £5 which I am equally grateful for. Donations are anonymous on my JustGiving page but they all wish me well and that they are sorry that this has happened.’

Jean, who has helped raise between £16,000 and £17,000 for Pancreatic Cancer, added: ‘We haven’t found the box but I have notified the charity. Please be aware that people may be collecting funds under false pretences.

‘There are three boxes at The Wharf, Red and Black Club and Peak Health and Fitness all collecting for the charity if people wish to donate.’

Pancreatic cancer is the fifth biggest cancer killer in the UK with a survival rate of five per cent.

This was the fourth year Jean had entered a Christmas tree in the festival but the theft has not deterred her from taking part in 2020.

The tree was in loving memory of all the ‘purple angels and the brave purple warriors currently battling’. Hanging from the tree were the names of people in places from America, Australia, Holland and Ireland.

‘It’s just an awful thing to have happened and so sad for the church. I would still do a tree because it’s precious and means our loved ones are not forgotten at Christmas.’

The theft took place between 3pm and 5pm on December 8.

Tavistock police are investigating the theft and believe that the two thefts are linked by motive and location.

A Tavistock spokesperson said: ‘We have not exhausted all CCTV options yet and are still reviewing CCTV. We thank the local businesses with CCTV who have been assisting us with our enquiries.

‘The box had a white, purple and pink charity logo on it.

Should you have any information which may help us with our enquiries please ring or email 101 quoting crime reference CR/110841/19.’