http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/swindonnewsheadlines/display.var.999336.0.treasurer_loses_his_charity_cash_in_bank.phpAN ILL-TIMED text message has cost a Swindon charity almost £1,400.
The money, was taken yesterday afternoon by an opportunist thief in the unmanned Regent Street branch of NatWest just minutes before the money was to be transferred to the safety of the charity's bank account.
Neill Bond, the treasurer of Stop Harming Our Children, who lives in Eastleaze, was looking after the money.
He was shocked by the speed of the crime.
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He said: "I was in town to deposit the donation from the concert, into the charity's Co-op bank account when I went into the NatWest to withdraw some money from my own account.
"The money was in coin bags, and everything was in a bigger plastic bag which was quite heavy.
"As I was drawing my money out, there was a text message on my mobile phone which distracted me for a couple of seconds, maybe more, and then I realised that the bag had gone.
"I searched the room but there was no sign of it, it had completely disappeared.
"I called the police, but I haven't heard back, and my guess is that it has gone forever."
Mr Bond is sure that a opportunist thief realised what the bag was holding and took a chance.
Inside was just under £1,400 worth of donations from a Kentwood Choir concert in St Andrew's Church, Chippenham, which was held in aid of Shoc last Friday.
The charity, which was set up in Swindon last year, aims to give parents more information about what is best for their children.
The money had been destined for use on a series of lectures to information and advice to parents about the dangers of things like fluoride and mobile phones to children, but now those plans will have to be scrubbed.
Basil Jones, the chairman of the charity, put a brave face on the loss.
"I am more concerned about Neill because he feels so bad about what happened, but it is one of those things," he said.
"It is a huge setback and it will be difficult to raise £1,400 again in a few weeks, we are not like other charities where we can appeal to people's hearts by showing pictures of the work we have done because our work is preventative rather than a cure.
"This means we will have to use money from the charity's other meagre funds to cover the costs of the concert."
Swindon police confirmed that Mr Bond had reported the theft.
They are making inquiries with NatWest bank in the hope of checking their CCTV footage
What a complete cock in my humble opinion.
