THE FATHER of a boy fighting a rare form of cancer has said the family is ‘devastated’ after thieves stole money raised for his appeal.

Raiders broke into Wernddu Golf Club in Abergavenny and stole a safe containing around £1,300 raised for two-year-old Jacob Jones, as well as a set of car keys.

The safe was later found dumped on a hill close to The Keeper’s Pond in Blaenavon.

Jacob’s father, Alwyn Jones, from Abergavenny, said the incident has hit the family hard.

He said: “It’s a big blow for all of us, we are all devastated.

“You just don’t understand how people can be so cruel and so low.

“They would have known it was for charity because there were cheques in there as well, saying for Jacob’s Fight.

“That makes it 10 times worse, it’s disgusting.”

Mr Jones said the safe contained money which had been raised by Jen Watkins, who works at the golf club.

Ms Watkins had taken part in the ABP Newport Wales Marathon to raise the cash for the appeal to help Jacob, who has been diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma.

The family are aiming to raise £250,000 so that Jacob can have specialist treatment known as difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), which is aimed at preventing a relapse.

The specialist treatment offered in America is not available on the NHS.

Since an appeal was launched family and friends have rallied together to raise around £70,000.

Doctors said Jacob has a 34 per cent chance of survival after his diagnosis in December.

Gwent Police said they are investigating the incident.

A spokeswoman for the force said: “We received reports of a burglary at Wernddu Golf Club.

"The incident happened sometime between 9pm on Monday, April 30 and 7am on Tuesday, May 1.

"It’s thought the offenders forced entry to the range door before stealing a safe from the office.

"Inside the safe was car keys and cash, including money raised for charity.

"The safe was later found close to the Keeper’s Ponds in Blaenavon."

Anyone with information can call 101, quoting log 61 1/5/18.