Hundreds of dollars in donations have poured in for a Bermudian charity after it was targeted by a thief.

On Saturday morning a thief grabbed a bag containing almost $700 from a teacher supervising young volunteers from Victor Scott Primary School who collected money for Agape House, the only care facility for the terminally ill.

The robbery of ticket sales for the charity’s Rubber Duck Derby happened outside Miles Market, in Pitts Bay Road, Pembroke, at about 11.20 a.m. and left the children and their female teacher distraught.

Yesterday Karen Dyer, the charity’s Derby organiser, said the community has come through and Agape House has now raised $2,050, which is more than the stolen funds.

Ms. Dyer said: “In response to the story, I have had a very kind donation of $350 from Bermuda Pest Control.

“They hoped that it would help make up for lost ticket sales on Saturday due to the theft incident. And we’ve had one of $1,000 from an anonymous donor and $700 from the Bermuda Bridge Federation Charity Account.

“It is reassuring to know that Bermuda has such kind and generous people.”

On Saturday, the volunteers were standing outside the supermarket at about 11.20a.m. selling tickets for the Derby - held every summer in St. George’s.

A man approached the teacher and offered to make a $4 donation before grabbing the black pouch containing the cash from her hand and fled to a waiting, small, blue car outside the supermarket.

The Police are conducting an investigation, however, Ms. Dyer said she was concerned about the future of selling tickets or tags on the street if “desperate acts” such as these become commonplace.

She added: “We are trying to put people in pairs, but I don’t know how we are going to sell the tickets if we can’t stand on the streets.

“I’m hoping this is a one-off incident because we’re not the only ones who sell raffle tickets outside stores.”

Police have issued a description of the thief who is dark-skinned, about 5ft 11 in tall and wearing a white T-shirt and dark pants.

He is believed to have stolen a bottle of alcohol from Miles Market minutes before snatching the charity cash. An investigation is underway and anyone with information about the theft should contact Police at 295-0011.

Anyone who bought tickets for the derby outside Miles between 9 a.m. and 11.30 a.m. on Saturday can still be issued with a duck if they call the Friends of Hospice office on 232-0859.

The 11th annual derby takes place on Sunday, June 3 at 2 p.m. at Ordnance Island.