A CHURCH concert raising money for an emergency homeless shelter was targeted by a callous crook who snatched £130 from the organisers.

The Concert at Christmas began last year as a fundraiser for homeless charity Shelter.

This year, organiser Jenna Saiz and a group of friends hoped to raise the profile of Colchester’s Emergency Night Shelter and put on a proper festive show.

Held at St Martin’s Church in Colchester’s Dutch Quarter, the organisers decided to go bigger and better thanks to the generosity of Chris Clay and CDC Productions.

The company decked out the church with lighting and sound equipment, fake snow and a confetti cannon.

The concert was billed as an evening of solos, duets and group numbers, including traditional carols pop songs and musical theatre.

While preparations were underway for the concert, a thief sneaked into the church and snatched £130 which was due to be put towards the fundraising total.

Concert-goer Emer Berry expressed her disgust at the crook’s actions but said they failed to ruin the event, which raised more than £1,300.

She said: “The concert was absolutely fantastic and clearly had so much work put into it.

“So many people worked so hard and gave their time and resources, for free, to raise money for this worthy cause which does such great work.

“It was a marvellous concert and it is such a shame that anyone would feel the need to do this. “I am hoping something positive can come out of this and people will be moved to donate to the shelter.”

Jenna added: “The evening was well-attended, with around 130 in the church - almost double last year’s audience.

“We love working with one another and are really keen to raise the concert to a new level again next year to raise even more money for our homelessness charity.”

Anyone with information about the theft can contact Essex Police on 101.

To donate to Colchester’s Emergency Night Shelter, visit colchesternightshelter.org.uk.