A police investigation has been launched at the Pilgrims Hospice in Canterbury following the theft of about £1,000 in cash which had been donated by a grieving family.

The money was collected for the charity following the recent funeral of cancer sufferer Janet Aldridge from Herne who was cared for by the hospice in London Road in her dying days.

It was in three collection tins which the family handed to a nurse who took them to the fundraising office in the reception area.

But they vanished soon after, leaving hospice staff and volunteers very distressed and Mrs Aldridge’s family appalled and upset.

Her daughter, Lucy Aldridge, 34, from Bekesbourne, said: “The hospice was absolutely brilliant in looking after our mum and we wanted to show our gratitude.

“Everyone was so generous at her funeral and the tins were filled with notes.

“We just cannot understand how someone would stoop so low to steal money that was clearly left for a good cause.

“The chief executive called me about a week after we handed the money in to tell
us what had happened and said she felt sick about it.”

The theft has been reported to police who have been given details of who was working and volunteering on the day.

But officers have told hospice bosses that without CCTV evidence, the investigation is difficult to progress.

They hope the containers, which are coded, may yet be found and provide some clues.

Now hospice chief executive Cate Russell says she is reluctantly considering beefing up security.

She said: “We were very grateful the family had thought to collect for the charity as it allows us to continue the vital work that makes such a difference to people we care for.

“We are very distressed that someone would think to steal from a hospice. They were not put in an obvious place but were taken from the fundraising office which is at the back of the reception.

“We looked high and low for them but it became obvious they had been taken.

“I have apologised to the family and reported the incident to the police but there is little they can do.

“If anyone comes across discarded Pilgrims Hospices collection tins, please can they drop them in to us as they are coded?

“We are now reviewing our security arrangements although we recognise that could potentially destroy the open and trusting atmosphere of the hospice.

“But we have to find a balance as we still want to keep the hospice open and accessible so that people feel they are welcome to come in at any time to visit us.”

Lucy said: “Mum was very outgoing and loved to travel before she fell ill.

“Our dad died when I was nine and she had a partner for some years.

“When I told friends who had donated what had happened they were upset and a little annoyed the money hadn’t been put straight in a safe.

“But it hasn’t put us off fundraising for the hospice.

“My sister, Kate, and I are now planning to do the Moonlight Walk for the charity on September 12.”