The father of teenage cancer victim Kelly Turner says those who stole money for her life saving treatment are “rotten to the core”.

Martin Turner and his family need to raise £1 million to fund vital treatment in the USA after Kelly was given two years to live in October.

The Dover community has raised thousands of pounds but in the last week donations were stolen in Hythe, and another attempted theft was dramatically stopped in Dover.

Mr Turner said: “It’s absolutely appalling when you consider that here we are trying to save Kelly’s life and these lovely people are collecting money for us in lots of different places and somebody can come along and pinch the money.

“It’s rotten to the core.”

On Tuesday at about 10am Sandra Malho, owner of the La Salle Verte cafe in Cannon Street, stopped a cowardly thief after he took a charity tin and hid it in his baby’s pram.

Ms Malho saw him conceal it behind a newspaper before swiping it from the counter and stashing it.

While customers rushed to block the door to the cafe, the owner managed to take back the money. He escaped the fray, using the child as an excuse.

Mr Turner said: “Kelly was just appalled. But at the same time the fundraising seems to be going from strength to strength.

“People used to dis’ Dover for years calling people scum but it’s so wrong. It’s people in Dover who have supported our fundraising so brilliantly with passion and love. I can tell you we are very glad we live in Dover.”

Kelly said she couldn’t believe it had happened twice and hopes whoever is responsible is caught.

She added: “There has been lots of support that has made up for it.”

Ms Malho claimed the “disgusting” thief is known for taking other charity boxes from shops in the town last week.

Callum Lewis, who works in the cafe, said: “When she saw him, Sandra hid behind the counter and kept an eye on it.

“I don’t know how he can sleep at night, it’s money to save a young girl’s life.”

Kent Police spokesman Martin Very confirmed officers attended at 9.52am on Tuesday.

He said: “Kent Police received a report of the attempted theft of a charity box from a café in Cannon Street, Dover.

“Police officers attended and enquiries are on-going.”