Police in Oamaru are asking members of the public to be on the lookout for a discarded poppy donation box, after the theft of RSA donations on Anzac Day.
Sergeant Blair Wilkinson said a poppy donation box was stolen from the foyer of Oamaru Hospital between 2pm and 2.05pm last Wednesday.
Sgt Wilkinson said several donations had been made for poppies over a fortnight, and there had been a "reasonable sum" in the box.
"If anyone hears of or sees a discarded poppy box, we would be delighted to hear from them."
North Otago RSA president Norm Foley was "gutted" over the "disgraceful" theft.
He said an unsuccessful attempt had also been made to steal a second donation box at the Couplands Bakery the same day.
"It's not actually stealing from the RSA. It's stealing from the people who would have benefited from that money."
Mr Foley said the fact that the theft occurred on Anzac Day, combined with a big drop in donations this year, made the loss of the donation box, which he estimated could have donations of about $100, even harder to bear.
"Our takings on Anzac Day and for poppies were down about 40%, so every bit of that money would have helped," he said.
