A WOMEN'S Institute stalwart was left "devastated" when thieves made off with the takings from a charity tea and cakes stall.

President of Little Lever WI, Mrs Betty Holt, had to break the news to the other hard-working members about the theft of almost £500.

"I just feel sick. I can't believe anyone would take money for charity. And everyone at the event knew that money was for charity."

The cash bag was taken from Mrs Holt's car, parked right next to the WI tent at the Working Woodlands Festival on Sunday.

Mrs Holt had been approached by the organisers of the family festival, held at Moses Gate Country Park, and asked to organise a tea-tent.

"I decided it was right up our street. Cakes and teas, just what we do best."

A group of 24 women, many of them pensioners, spent a week buying, baking and preparing for the day.

They made fruit cakes and fruit pies, and organised fruit teas for the theme of the tent, which was "fruits of the forest".

On the day Mrs Holt, 70, took charge of the cash. "I put it in a bag and put the bag under my foot. I never took my foot off it."

The tent was a huge success. "We were very popular and we catered perfectly. We didn't have a crumb left at 4pm."

When it was time to pack up Mrs Holt and the other workers started to load up her white Nissan Micra hatchback.

The money bag, also containing Mrs Holt's camera and filofax, was placed behind the passenger seat. But as the women went back into the tent, just 12 yards away, someone grabbed the cash.

The money was to benefit two charities - to help people with Alzheimer's Disease and those suffering from Parkinson's Disease.

"I just hope whoever stole the money realises they have deprived people suffering from the diseases.

"These are two charities which are not, perhaps, as well supported as others and they really would have appreciated the money."

Now Mrs Holt has to break the news to the other members who worked hard to raise the cash.

"I don't know what to say to them. I am really upset about this. I feel devastated."

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