A COMMUNITY group has rallied around after a collection tin for veterans was tampered with, prompting fears cash may have been stolen. Members of Edinburgh Street Community Centre, off St George's Road, west Hull, had agreed to collection cash for the Hull branch of the Aden Veterans' Association.
Veterans of the little-known 1960s Middle East conflict have been busy raising funds for a plaque, which they intend to display at Holy Trinity Church.
Elaine Cooke, a member of the committee that runs the centre, discovered a seal on the tin had been broken.
It is not known how much, if any, cash has been stolen, but members of the committee have decided to add a £100 donation as a gesture of goodwill.
David Cooke, of Gipsyville, who fought with the Royal Engineers in Aden, said: "My wife, Elaine, is a member of the centre's committee.
"Everyone thought the money would be safe. It could have been stolen by anyone.
"The committee decided not to call in the police. Instead, they're replacing the cash out of their own funds."
Brian Edge, chairman of the veterans' branch, said he was "humbled" by the response from the centre.
He said: "The response to what has happened regarding the suspected theft has been brilliant.
"Elaine, whose husband is a member of our branch, was absolutely heartbroken when she handed us £220.75.
"There can't be many people who are upset after collecting that much cash.
"But she was distraught because she thought someone may have taken some money.
"She thinks there was more money in the tin, but the committee has decided to keep the matter between themselves and give us £100 on top of what was collected."
Some of the cash was raised by a sponsored walk.
Mr Edge, who served with the Royal Tank Regiment in Aden, said every penny raised would go tow- ards the plaque and a mounting.
"We are hoping to unveil it on June 8 next year, which will be the first anniversary of the blessing of our standard," he said.
Malcolm Heron, branch secretary, served with the RAF in Aden.
He said: "It's very important we get this plaque.
"Aden is a forgotten war and the plaque will honour those who fought and died."
About 440 servicemen died fighting insurgents in Aden, including Lance Corporal Brian Foley of The Prince of Wales's Own Regiment of Yorkshire.
Violence began in Aden on December 10, 1963, when the British High commissioner Sir Kennedy Trevaskis was targeted in a grenade attack.
By the end of that day, a state of emergency was declared.
The conflict hastened the end of British rule in the territory, which had begun in 1839.
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