Opportunist burglars have targeted a Salvation Army centre twice in just a few days – stealing cash destined for Nepal’s earthquake victims.

Staff were appalled to discover a collection box missing from the building in Canterbury on Friday morning.

The money, raised as aid for the hundreds of thousands left homeless by the quake last month, had been left by kind-hearted members of the Canterbury Ladies Choir.

Yesterday morning the centre in White Horse Lane was targeted again as a slimly built man snatched a petty cash box from an office.

He was chased out by staff but managed to escape in the direction of the city centre.

Major Chris Sands, an associate officer of the centre, said: “No one should want to steal from us. We’re willing to help people who are desperate.

“We never turn people away. We always respond to people’s needs. We give food parcels free. We make no demands. We’re giving and giving and giving, so why steal?”

Maj Sands said his staff were particularly horrified by the theft of the Nepal collection.

"No one should want to steal from us... We're giving and giving and giving, so why steal?" - Major Chris Sands

“It’s a clearly labelled box,” he said. “It seems awful that someone would take that in light of the knowledge of where that money is going.

“People would have made their own personal sacrifices to give. The cause is huge, and the task is great.”

Wednesday’s suspect is described as being aged around 40, around 5ft 9ins tall, wearing a dark jacket and jeans.

It is thought he may have had some knowledge of the layout of the centre.

Maj Sands said: “It’s very hard at the moment on the front line. These kinds of things do not do good for morale. But our heads are back up.

“We’re doing what we do. But the public needs to know we are hurt by what’s taken place.”

Donations from members of the public are welcomed at the centre, he added.

A Kent Police spokesman confirmed that the burglaries were being investigated.

She said: "Kent Police received a report of a burglary at 12.30pm on Thursday May 7.

"A quantity of cash was reported missing at an address in White Horse Lane, Canterbury following an incident Wednesday May 6.

"A charity collection box containing cash was also reported to have been taken in a separate incident on Friday 1 May.

"Enquiries are being carried out to establish the circumstances."

Anyone with information is asked to call either 101 or 01843 222289, quoting reference number 07-0625.