A THIEF snatched £800 of charity cash intended to help the grieving parents of stillborn children.

The money was taken during an event at the Seven Stars pub, in Lea Gate, Harwood.

The pub held its fourth annual Oktoberfest on Saturday to raise money for the charity Angel Wings to provide cuddle cots.

Buckets were spread out throughout the venue and the pub also stocked a bar and a barbecue in the back with all money raised going to the charity.

When landlady Pamela Stott counted the contents of a cash box, she realised there was only around £100 in it, yet she had put a float of almost £200 in at the start of the day.

She estimated that around £800 was in the box and was devastated that the charity had been targeted.

Mrs Stott said: "We raised about £400 from the buckets alone and would have raised a lot more than that in total.

"I was so shocked when I realised. It must have been grabbed when staff had their backs turned."

Cuddle cots allow parents of stillborn babies to spend more time with them as a way of tackling depression.

Angel Wings raises money for cuddle cots for hospitals and funeral homes around the country. Each cot costs around £1,600.

It was hoped the event would raise enough money for one of the cots.

Mrs Stott decided to support the charity after witnessing a friend go through losing a child.

Hundreds of people attended the event to enjoy live music, continental beers and a barbecue.

Now the pub has decided to hold another fundraiser to try to raise the amount of money lost in the theft.

It is also putting together a Christmas hamper and raffle to raise money for the charity.

Mrs Stott said the pub has been inundated with donations from businesses and residents for the raffle and hamper and also people wanting to buy tickets.

She said: "We have donations coming in all the time. We have had people coming in with hundreds of pounds for raffle prizes. We have got free gym passes, boxing tickets and pamper nights. The list just goes on.

"I just felt sad but I have been overwhelmed by the support. At this rate we are going to be able to buy two cuddle cots instead of one."

Mrs Stott has been running the pub for three and a half years but has lived in Harwood for 47 years.

She said there is no CCTV at the back of the pub and as no one saw the incident the pub has not reported it to the police.