Thieves have stolen collection boxes from the gardens of two family households in Kidlington.

Sue Simmonds said her family could not believe it when they saw the metal box, used to collect money for the Oxford Children's Hospital Campaign, had been ripped from their garden gate, in Kings Way Drive.

It was the first Christmas since she and husband Don started decorating their house six years ago that they had put out a donation box .

Primary school teaching assistant Mrs Simmonds said they emptied the box every night and had collected £40 in two weeks before the thieves struck on Thursday.

A family in High Street Kidlington, who collect money for cancer research, condemned the thieves of their boxes as lowlife and scumbags.

Michaela Cusden had decorated the front of her house and garden as she has done in previous years and asked people who enjoyed the display to donate to charity.

The money was being raised for Cancer Research UK because cancer research had helped her daughter Rhiannon, 17, known as Annie, who is now in remission from the disease.

Last year she collected £860 for the Make-A-Wish group which organises holidays for very sick children.

She said: "I collected £82 from the first two days so I think there must have been about £50 in the pond when the thieves took the money. I am absolutely sickened by what these lowlife and scumbags have done.

"It made me want to take the decorations down but I've been asked by so many people to leave them up.

"They give a lot of people a lot of pleasure as well as raising money for charity. What sort of people steal charity money? It really beggars belief."

She has put up a big notice on her gate thanking people who gave money but condemning the thieves.

She said: "These lowlife have taken funds from dying people -- they deserve their own death sentence."

Mrs Simmonds, who has a daughter Rebecca, 16, and son Matthew, 13, said: "We thought it would safe because Don had screwed the box to the gate post, and we never thought anybody would be so cold-hearted.

"We've lived here for 16 years and it's a quiet cul-de-sac, so we're shocked it's happened. There must only have been a few pounds in it, but it's the principle."

Mrs Simmonds said her family wanted to help the Oxford Children's Hospital campaign, which is raising funds for a dedicated paediatric centre at the John Radcliffe Hospital site, in Headington, because it was such a worthwhile cause. The box is believed to have been stolen at about 7pm.

Kate Smith Police spokesman said: "It is sad that someone stooped so low as to steal money intended for a charity and I would appeal for anyone who saw or knows who did this to come forward."

"We would advise people not to put collection boxes on view, even if they are secured to a fence, because some criminals will go to great lengths to steal cash."

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 08458 505505.