by Emma Grove

egrove@thekmgroup.co.uk

A thief picked Remembrance weekend to steal a collection box for a trust in memory of fallen Sheppey soldier Daniel Holkham.

More than £100 was in the pot for The Dannyboy Trust (DBT) when it was taken from the Harps Inn in Minster at the weekend.

The trust was launched by the family of the 19-year-old rifleman killed while on duty in Afghanistan in March last year.

Money raised is to benefit Sheppey's young people by supporting clubs, organisations and groups.

Landlady Sue Ganderton said the box had been on the edge of the pub's bar since she took over at the end of August.

The money had been collected by customers and staff who had to pay a penalty every time they used a swear word.

They think it was taken sometime between about 8pm and 11pm.

Daniel's father Rodney was appalled by the theft and urged anyone with information to go to the police.

"the person responsible does not care about anyone other than themselves" - daniel holkham's father rodney

He said: "It saddens me that at a time when millions of people in this country and around the world were respectfully acknowledging the sacrifices made by so many good men and women, a person could take a collection pot with the face of one who made the sacrifice staring at them.

"The money that has been stolen is not mine or the DBT's - it belongs to the young and was generously given in difficult times by so many caring people.

"The person responsible does not care about anyone other than themselves.

"I would appeal to all the younger members of our community - if you know this person he or she is not a friend - they have stolen from you and they do not deserve any loyalty.

"They need to be stopped so if you know anything tell the police, your parents or teachers - do not allow this person to steal money again."

• Anyone with information is asked to phone Kent Police on 01795 584165.