A collection box raising cash to help pay for 10-year-old Harley Hall’s life-saving medical treatment in America has been swiped from a Letchworth petrol station.

The Comet: Police have released a CCTV image of a man they wish to speak to in connection with the incident.Police have released a CCTV image of a man they wish to speak to in connection with the incident. (Image: Archant)

Police have released a CCTV image of a man they would like to speak to in relation to the Saturday evening snatch at the BP Service Station in Baldock Road.

The theft has tainted a community fundraising effort which has seen more than £10,000 raised for Harley’s family, who are with the youngster in Oklahoma while he receives proton therapy treatment.

Harley – who was diagnosed with a brain tumour earlier this year – flew off with his mum and dad to the United States at the end of March for two months of treatment.

Despite the overwhelming generosity towards the Letchworth family – which has seen large donations from Cox’s Fish and Chips and St Paul’s Church in the last week – news of the theft left the family deflated.

Dad Jason Hall said: “We were pretty shocked when we found out, to say the least.

“A lot of people are struggling at the moment in this economic climate, but that does not mean it is OK to steal from anybody.

“We are not sure how much money was in there, but we want to thank everyone who donated anyway.”

The £10,000 target has now been met, but there are still fundraising events happening such as the Help for Harley day being held at Jackmans Community Centre between 6pm and midnight tomorrow, featuring live music, face painting and a raffle.

Anyone with information about the theft is asked to get in touch with the police via 101.

You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through their anonymous online form which is available at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.