IT was cash handed over for our war heroes.

Veterans proudly wore their medals and stood tirelessly in city streets to collect as much spare change as possible from the generous community.

But heartless thieves gave the most hurtful blow to ex-service personnel and the families of the fallen when they callously broke into the Royal British Legion and stole more than £3,000 cash collected for this year’s Poppy Appeal.

Just days later, intruders broke in again through a fire escape hatch on the roof, but left empty-handed.

In the first raid, the burglars, who were last night described as “the lowest of the low” cut the alarm at the Southampton branch of the legion in Eastgate Street and forced their way in through a small window.

They kicked in four doors causing at least £2,500 damage before stealing the money, which was already counted, sealed and put into bags ready to go to the bank the next day. More damage was caused during the second break-in.

Now police have launched an appeal to find the criminals responsible.

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Branch secretary Archie Parsons, who has worked with the legion for 25 years, branded the crime “a sickener”.

He said: “It is the ultimate insult to our heroes who have put their lives on the line for our country. This will affect the whole community.

“They gave so generously to this year’s appeal which was about helping the Afghanistan generation of the armed forces and their families. There are thousands that come back disabled or families left alone who need our help. But these people just came along and helped themselves.

“I can only describe these people as the lowest of the low. They have no scruples and no conscience.”

The burglars struck sometime overnight between 8pm and 7am when the club’s steward opened up to find the trail of destruction.

They had climbed in through a 12ft high small window on the street side of the building.

Mr Parsons said: “When I got the call my stomach sunk. I could have cried. It is a real sickener.

“To be honest I thought do I really want to do this any more?

Nothing of this scale has ever happened to us. It is a kick in the stomach.

But the Legion is part of my life, and I am sure we will rally around, show some solidarity and will be back next year.

“We live in hope these people will be found and given hefty punishments.”

Mr Parsons added: “We never normally keep any money on the premises. It was a one off.”

Just weeks ago the Daily Echo reported how 74-yearold Brian Eyre, who served his country in Egypt and Cyprus in the 1950s, wears his medals and spends about five hours a day at his pitch in WestQuay, standing until his feet get too tired then sitting until his back starts to ache, to show his support for servicemen and women.

Mr Parsons added: “When I think of all the hard work that was carried out by the volunteers and the generosity of our community it breaks my heart. The whole community has made a contribution to this and donated their money.”

Police are investigating the theft and whether the second break-in was linked. A spokesman said they had “an open mind”.

If anyone has any information contact PC Lawrence Sharp at Southampton Central on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.