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Callous yobs have stolen charity cash from Sittingbourne's 'whistling postman', a dedicated collector who has raised nearly £300,000 in more than 40 years of bike riding.
Dale Howting, 87, had just completed a morning of fundraising on his bike when two youths ran off with it, ripped off the collecting box and escaped with £50.
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The money was to go towards charities including Demelza House Children's Hospice and Kent Air Ambulance.
Mr Howting earned his nickname from the days he worked for the Royal Mail and became known for his tuneful deliveries.
In the 1970s he began his epic charity quest. He can be found with his bike on a stand in Roman Square where he collects donations.
The shocked former postie said: "It left me shaking with fear. It is a shocking thing to happen. I have been collecting money for 43 years and nothing like this has happened before.
"It was all over in seconds but it left me so upset. It's not even my money, it's what other people had given. It's such a shame and so sad."
Dale, from Goodnestone Road, had spent Monday morning collecting in Roman Square off the High Street. He said: "It had been a good morning because all the shops had reopened and the town was busy."
On his way home he stopped at Coral bookmakers in East Street at 1.30pm to log his National Lottery numbers for himself, his son and his daughter-in-law.
But while he was in the shop the two thieves grabbed his bike which had been chained but left outside.
Dale, who has almost reached his target of raising £300,000 over the years, recalled: "Suddenly the girls behind the counter yelled 'Dale, they're taking your bike'.
"I tried to give chase but I'm not as fast as I was. They carried the bike off like lightning. I couldn't believe it. I was very worried, that bike means everything to me."
A friend from the shop gave chase and found the bike abandoned in Fairview Road but the white wooden collecting box, which had been bolted to a metal frame over the front wheel, and all the money was gone.
Dale promised: "If I can't get the money back I will make it up out of my own pocket. I'd hate to think the little children at Demelza will suffer because of this."
Police have been informed.
The only good news is that during the morning Dale had treated himself to a pair of new shoes. They were in a carrier bag attached to the handlebars but the thieves left them behind.
Ryan Taylor who manages a charity shop in Roman Square near where Dale normally sits on his bike, set up a Go Fund Me page to replace the lost cash. By Tuesday morning it had already raised £675. Mr Taylor said: "I saw Dale this morning and surprised him with the news about the GoFundMe page.
"He was overjoyed with the outpouring of support from everyone who has donated to, and shared, the page. He was also surprised by the many people who have already visited him this morning with donations and good wishes after his bike was stolen.
"His bike is OK. Only his money box was damaged. I’m working with him to try to source another. Thank you for everyone's support."
Video: Dale Howting talks about the theft of his charity money
