Callous thieves stole the money from a charity collection bear in Maldon, breaking the plastic animal in pieces to get to the coins.
The giant bear was taken at the weekend from outside Cantelec in the High Street, where it collected money for the Chelmsford and District Cardiac Support Group.
It was later found in pieces near the doctor's surgery, with all the money missing.
Roger Tulley, who works for Cantelec and is treasurer of the support group, said he was bitterly disappointed that somebody would do this.
"The bear usually contained about £30, which went towards buying toiletry bags and an overnight kit for the charity to help people who are brought in off the street suffering a heart attack and have nothing with them.
"Nothing happened to this bear for 15 years and it's very sad."
If anyone has any information about the theft, they should contact Maldon police on 01621 852255."
Published Friday October 18, 2002
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