A WOMAN whose Race for Life donations were stolen has since raised double her original amount with the help of a generous stranger.

As previously reported in the Echo, a charity collection box containing £500 and belonging to hairdresser Gemma Vaile was stolen from Level Hair Salon in Wallisdown Road, just days before the 5km race for Cancer Research UK on Sunday.

The 22-year-old made an urgent appeal for donations and managed to recoup her funds.

The day after the race, however, a man came into the salon, gave £500 in cash and left without giving his name.

Salon owner Amber Grant described the encounter, which left staff shocked.

She said: “He looked to be in his 70s and was wearing a bright yellow jumper. He came up to the counter and said, ‘Hello my dear, are you the salon that had the money stolen?’

“He then pulled out a wad of £50 notes, said ‘See, we’re not all bad people’ and walked out the door.

“I called after him to ask for his name, but he bounded across the road. He obviously didn’t want any credit.

“It was so nice after what happened, we’re all quite emotional about it,” she added.

Gemma said she was “over the moon” after being told about the surprise donation.

“I was in complete shock when Amber called me. I just couldn’t believe it. Since the theft, everyone has been so supportive. Clients who’d already donated money gave me another £20.

“People I didn’t even know were being very generous and donating on the JustGiving page.”

Gemma, who ran the Race for Life in memory of her grandmother, has since raised over £1,000 for Cancer Research UK.

“It’s amazing,” she said. “The day of the race I was very nervous, but we managed to complete it in exactly 35 minutes, as planned.

“With half a kilometre to go, I thought I was going to pass out, but my friend Amy helped get me across the finish line.

“We ran into the sea afterwards, we were so hot,” she added.

Gemma said she had reported the theft, which happened on Wednesday, June 8, to the police who are looking at CCTV footage to help them with their investigation.