A big-hearted mother has stepped forward to hand over £150 - just days after her son was put behind bars for stealing cash meant for a sick child.

Julie Brown, of Medway, walked into the Medway Messenger office and presented the cash, after her son was sent to prison for stealing a charity box.

It had been meant for toddler Ruby Young, who is seriously ill with cancer.

Steven Cotter took the box, holding around £150, from NatWest in Rainham High Street.

The bank is inundated with Ruby Young marketing but Cotter, 25, looked past all the posters of the three-year-old’s face when he swiped the money.

He was jailed for 120 days by Medway magistrates.

Ruby has the aggressive cancer neuroblastoma and needs £500,000 for potentially lifesaving treatment in the USA which the NHS does not offer.

But Cotter's mum Julie Brown told reporters: "I just want people to know we're not all bad.

"I just wanted to make sure Ruby didn't lose out."

Fundraising coordinator Anita Marinelli said after Cotter's sentencing: “We’re all so relieved with the sentence. I’m glad Ruby has some justice.

“It’s not a huge amount of money, but it’s just the thought that somebody could bring themselves to steal from a little girl who needs this money to save her life.”

Cotter, of Mountbatten Avenue, Chatham, is a prolific offender and drug users, who appeared in court on five other offences at the same time.

He took other charity boxes from Guide Dogs for the Blind.

He also stole a mobile phone from Robert Bradford plus food and other items from a Co-op store, and burgled Gillingham Golf Club. He received 120 days for each of the six offences, three of which are being served concurrently, adding up to a total of 360 days.

One of the victims, Mr Bradford, donated £100 to Ruby when he heard what happened to help make up for her loss.

Earlier this month Ruby underwent a gruelling 12-hour operation to remove the tumour which had spread around her organs.

She is now out of hospital and has been enjoying the sun this week, playing in the garden and visiting the seaside.

Mum Vikki Young, of Monmouth Close, Rainham, said: “Ruby has lost quite a bit of weight since the operation and she struggles to bend down and move in certain positions.

"But she is getting back to her normal self. She is amazing, she knows her own limits so well and is just getting on with it as she always does .”

The hardest part of treatment is still to come for the little girl, who has captured people hearts. On June 28 she will begin her most debilitating round of chemotherapy yet.

But the family are staying as positive as they can, with the total now at £400,000 they are hoping to reach their goal by the end of the summer.

A number of events are being held this month to raise funds for the youngster.

Today, between 11am and 4pm, at Thames View school in Bloors Lane, Rainham, Ruby will be going along to a family fun day.

"I just want people to know we're not all bad" - Julie Brown

There will be a giant bouncy castle, princess and superhero meet and greet, fair games, stall and a raffle.

On June 28, Casino Rooms in Rochester High Street is hosting Lion Fighting Championships, a mixed martial arts show.

Warriors Collide will have more than 20 fights on the night.

Tickets cost from £20 and money raised on the night is going to Ruby.
For more information, tickets and a full listing of events visit Help Ruby Laura Smash Cancer on Facebook.

Visit www.justgiving.com/heros4ruby or text RLYJ88 and the amount you wish to give to 70070