The offenders broke in through the back door of Outdoor Furniture Specialists and took the float worth $380 as well as the jar containing Cancer Council donations, which had been hidden in the back room.

She said she hoped the public would support her Biggest Morning Tea fund-raiser today between 10am and 11.30am at the front of the store to make up for the robbery and ensure the Cancer Council received the support they deserved.

“We’re lucky that they didn’t take the merchandise we have been selling for the morning tea,” she said. “It’s annoying that this has happened because they have taken money that other people have donated.”

This is the third break-in at the store in three years.

“The first time they took the whole drawer with the float in it, and the second time they took the float and a Buddha statue,” she said.“We only keep the float on the premises and I can’t claim what’s been lost under the insurance because my excess is $500 and it will only push my premiums up.”

People are encouraged to support the Cancer Council and attend or hold a Biggest Morning Tea in their home or workplace. The charity’s target this year is $11.5 million.