Lower than scum, is how a senior Royal British Legion official has described thieves who stole £100 of Poppy Appeal money raised by pupils and staff at Hartlip Primary.

The cash was in a safe, along with £200 towards forthcoming trips, which was taken from the school office after a 4x4 vehicle smashed through a wall leaving a hole described as the size of an ATM machine.

But in an act of defiance, £850 has been raised since the break-in thanks to a number of anonymous donations made to the school.

Steffan Jordan, chairman of the Legion’s Sittingbourne and Milton Regis branch, said: “They’re below being called scum; it’s too good a name for them.

“It’s obviously devastating for the school and for us.

“I think these people who do this sort of thing are despicable.

“It’s not just disabled soldiers and airmen and seamen that benefit from the welfare system it’s also bereaved families who lose their loved ones.

“That money would feed a family for a week. Even £1 would go towards a loaf of bread for them when they’ve got no income. It has a serious knock-on effect.”

The school was closed to youngsters following the burglary, which happened overnight between November 5-6. It was discovered during ‘unlocking procedures’.

Head teacher Tracey Jerome informed parents of the ‘distressing’ violation in a letter.

In two newsletters issued shortly afterwards, she said: “They [pupils] embraced the idea of showing respect and remembrance.

“What a terrible shame that all their generous giving was stolen with the lack of respect that this demonstrates.

“I am overwhelmed to report to you that following this distressing event, we have to date received over £850 in anonymous donations to the British Legion.

“This certainly is an outward demonstration of the support to the school and clear indication that we continue in our good works undeterred.”

Westlands School in Sittingbourne was also damaged in a similar attack on the same night.

A gaping hole was left in the deputy head teacher’s office after a 4x4 was used to pull a radiator through the wall, but the raiders left empty-handed.