Owners of a bird rescue centre said they were “outraged” when thieves stole £350 of much-needed money during a community fun day.

Brian and Rita Wells of Morton Road in Fyfield, founders of Epping Forest Hawk and Owl Sanctuary, were hosting a Birds of Prey performance at the ‘It’s a Knockout’ event in Jessel Green, Loughton, on July 19 when two men targeted the elderly couple’s enclosure.

Mrs Wells, 71, said she “practically was holding the takings box” when the thieves pushed her to one side and grabbed the days takings which were going towards rescuing injured wild birds.

She said: “I was serving one woman who wanted to hold one of the birds when two men came over.

“I practically was holding the takings box and they pushed me hard and grabbed it.

“They both jumped over a 4ft fence that we had set up and I just started shouting.

“I was yelling out to my husband ‘we have been robbed’ and then I chased the men.

“We are absolutely outraged, that money was going towards helping injured animals and it was hugely needed.

“A man and a young boy chased the thieves for around half an hour but they got away.

“I ran too, I was so mad but I don’t know what I would have done if I had caught them.”

Following the theft, the Cottage Loaf Pub in Jessel Drive, Loughton, who organised the event, donated £100 to the sanctuary.

Mrs Wells added: “The community were so lovely following the robbery.

“I could not believe it when I heard that the pub had collected £100 for us.

“I am still in shock really, I was stood right there with the takings.

“This is the first time in 30 years of service that anything like this has happened to us.

“I just cannot believe that someone would do that.”