The president of Dundee Indoor Bowling Club has spoken of his sadness after three charity boxes were stolen by ruthless thieves.
The Miln Street club was raided by crooks overnight on Monday.
After entering the club’s fire exit, thieves forced open the grille of the lounge bar and stole three boxes containing around £200.
The cash was destined to go towards cancer research and support for autistic children.
Club president Ronald Collie said: “The first we became aware was when the alarm went off at 8.40pm.
“We’ve had people trying to break in in the past, but that was years ago.
“It’s been pretty good here. So it was a surprise when this happened.
“We’re just glad they never got into the bar area with all the drink.”
Though he is glad the thieves failed to gain full entrance to the club’s bar area, Ronald is upset by the nature of the crime.
He said: “The worst thing is that the money was for charity. It shows you the type of people they are.
“We do have other ways of raising money, but there was £200 or so in the tins.
“The police came and took fingerprints, but it looks like a hit-and-run type of thing.
“They only managed to get the grille up so far and managed to reach the boxes which were sitting on the bar.
“I think they ran off after they heard the alarm going off.”
A spokesman confirmed officers are investigating the break-in between 8.55pm on Monday February 6 and 10.55am on Tuesday.
Anyone with information is asked to phone 101 or the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
