Thieves who stole an Oliver Smith Appeal collection box have been slammed by the poorly tot’s mum.

It was taken from the counter at the Boathouse Cafe in Barton’s Point Coastal Park.

Owner Mandy Shade said there was about £55 in the box.

Since June last year, generous Islanders have been raising funds for three-year-old Oliver, who has the childhood cancer neuroblastoma.

The money is towards a £150,000 total to pay for treatment in Germany which the toddler will need if his condition gets worse.

So far, more than £65,000 has been collected.

Since September last year, people have been donating books to the cafe at the park, off Marine Parade, Sheerness, and cash raised from selling them has gone into the box as well as money that has come in from a book loaning scheme.

Mandy called the thieves despicable and said this type of crime seems to be a growing thing.

She said: “It’s taken quite a while to get to that amount.

“I think it’s very sad anyone would do that and I want to warn people of the dangers of putting a charity box on view.”

Oliver’s mum Natalie, of Coral Road, Minster, said: “You couldn’t print what I really want to say about these people but it’s disgusting and I’m very disappointed.

“Please, if anyone has any information, contact the police.”

The theft took place between 3.45pm and 3.55pm on Saturday, January 7.

There is no CCTV footage but police have been given a description of a group of men reported to have entered the cafe.

One is about 19, slim, clean shaven, and was wearing a black woollen hat with a blue stripe and dark bottoms.

The second man is white and full in the face. There is not a description of the third man reported to have been with the group.

Insp Phil Hibben said: “Stealing a charity box is a despicable crime.

“We are very keen to speak to anyone who may have information about this crime, but would particularly like to speak to the men who were dining at the cafe when the theft took place.”

• Anyone with information is asked to phone police on 101 quoting crime reference XY/738/12.

It’s not all bad news for the appeal this week, though, as Islanders are continuing to raise money.

Karina Chetwynd, of Sheerness solicitors John Copland and Sons, has been selling items on FaceBay which people donated for the appeal.

She has collected £41 and has also emptied some penny jars which contained another £16.

A collection box at the Castle pub in Sheerness has also been emptied and it had £109.78 in it.

This means in total, £65,629 has been raised.

To donate to the appeal, pop into the Times Guardian office, where you can also buy wristbands and CDs, or online