A North Cheam hairdresser who dyed her hair blue to raise cash for Cystic Fibrosis Trust is devastated after burglars broke into the salon and stole the charity money.

Rose Gathercole was well on her way to raising more than £800 after her brave charity stunt appeared in the Sutton Guardian and Comet earlier this month.

Sutton police believe the break-in at Expressions in London Road took place sometime between Saturday afternoon and Monday morning.

Ms Gathercole called us on Tuesday to tell us of her disgust but explained how it could have been a lot worse.

"Luckily I emptied most of the money from the sweetie jar, which was on the counter, into the safe a few days earlier, but they still got away with more than £50," said Ms Gathercole, whose five-year-old nephew Mark Purvey (pictured) suffers from the condition.

"I'm gutted, it's so upsetting and I just think it was a heartless thing to do."

She added: "We are hopeful that police will be able catch them."

A police spokesman said: "We are currently exploring CCTV footage, making further

enquiries and carrying out thorough forensic examinations of the scene.

"We would like to appeal to anyone who knows anything about this burglary, in which a pay-phone was also stolen, to come forward and contact us straightaway."

Anyone with information can call DS Simon Day on 020 8649 0634 and those wishing to make a donation can call 020 8330 5000.

May 30, 2003 09:30