Burglars have stolen cash destined to help serving and former RAF personnel.
More than £400, which was ready to hand over to the Melton branch of the Royal Air Force Association (RAFA), towards the annual Wings appeal, was taken during a raid in Melton on Saturday morning.
The £417 was destined to help ex-servicemen and women, as well as RAF personnel serving in Afghanistan, to pay for mums and dads to record messages for their children.
The thieves struck at James and Brenda Cox's Dalby Road home between 9.45am and 11.10am.
At the time, Brenda was running a stall at the town market collecting for the appeal.
James, 65, said: "The money was in plastic bags behind a chair, ready to hand in.
"I had been down at the RAFA club in Asfordby Road and when I got home I found stuff scattered all over the place, a hole in the back window and a brick on the kitchen floor.
"They took jewellery belonging to Brenda's late grandfather and her engagement ring, a lot of sentimental stuff, along with my laptop.
"It's sick and sad to think people would have the gall to do this. The theft of charity money is beyond the bounds."
Brenda, 61, who is the branch secretary of RAFA, in Melton, and Wings appeal organiser for the town, said: "The money raised in the appeal is for the welfare needs of veterans and serving RAF personnel.
"It helps to subsidise housing for veterans but it also pays for serving personnel in Afghanistan to record stories out there for their little ones, so they can hear their father or mother's voice.
"It makes me cross, to say the least. They took my engagement ring, my grandma and grandad's wedding rings and my dad's wedding ring, all things of sentimental value – stuff you can't replace."
The jewellery is valued at about £1,100 and a Sony Baio laptop at £700.
Sergeant Kev Pulley, of Melton police, said: "Burglary is a despicable crime at any time, particularly for the victim, but I would hope the fact money destined for a charity has been stolen would prompt people to let us know, in confidence, any information they may have about this crime."
Anyone with information about the burglary is asked to contact Melton police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.
