A West Belfast pensionera says she’s had “the heart knocked out of me” after money she had raised for a children’s  charity was stolen in a break-in. Sarah Maloney and her family organised a car boot sale to raise money for Smile Train, the world’s leading cleft lip and palate surgery charity. However, shortly afterwards her Colinvale home was broken into with the thieves making off with £102 that Sarah had placed in a tin for safe keeping.

“Basically, whoever broke into my home got in through the downstairs window,” said Sarah. “I went to look for the tin, which I had placed in the front bedroom drawer along with other items from the car boot sale we had collected, and both the money and a box of handbags had been taken. I just cried my eyes out,” she said. “You are trying your best to do something to help others less fortunate than yourself and people break into your home and do this – it’s knocked the heart out of me to be honest with you.”

Sarah said she wanted to appeal to those behind the crime to “have a heart”.

“Even when the police came out to investigate what had happened they made a donation, it just shows the good in people.”

Sarah said that what happened won’t put her off continuing to raise funds for Smile Train.

“There’s good and bad in everyone, in everywhere in life. I feel very let down by it all, to be honest with you, but it won’t stop me, I’ll still plough on trying to raise awareness for this very worthwhile charity.”

The PSNI appealed for anyone who noticed any suspicious activity in the area  to contact them at Lisburn on 0845 600 8000.

“Or, if someone would prefer to provide information without giving their details, they can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers and speak to them anonymously on 0800 555 111.”