HEARTLESS crooks ransacked a woman’s house and stole London Marathon sponsorship money destined for sick children.

Rachael Steel, 30, raised £2,300 for Look, a specialist charity that supports children with eye problems, after suffering vision problems from infancy.

She battled through the 26.2 miles in five hours and seven minutes, despite her training being disrupted earlier this year by a car crash that hospitalised her for three days.

However, burglars ransacked her home, stealing £700 sponsorship money and she thinks they even attacked her dog.

Ms Steel, who works as a solicitor in Southend, said: “The money was in an envelope with leaflets about my fundraising for Look, so the thieves must have known what they were taking.

“They have basically taken money away from sick children which makes it even worse. It was not my money for them to steal.”

Ms Steel’s home in Farnham Avenue, Wickford, was targeted sometime between 11am and 3.45pm on Thursday, April 30, after thieves smashed a brick through a rear window.

They ransacked the property and in addition to the cash stole an iPad, two iPods and a laptop computer.

Ms Steel, who ran the marathon for the first time, said: “My mumand dad went round to my house at about 3.45pm to let my Jack Russell, Monty, out.

“That’s when they found the front door open.

“The burglars had been through every room – all my drawers and cupboards were open.

“My dog barks a lot since the burglary and he has been moaning every time we touch him, so I don’t know whether the burglars attacked him to stop him barking.”

The thieves also stole Ms Steel’s spare car key and she is frightened they may return to take her car.

She said: “It was an amazing feeling running down the Mall to the finish line.

“It was the first time I had run the marathon and the charity was very close to my heart.

“For this to happen, it is just awful.”

Investigating officer, acting detective sergeant, Ian Burgess, of Basildon CID, said: “Burglary is a distressing crime and stealing money destined for charity is especially despicable.

"I would urge anyone who saw what happened or saw anybody acting suspiciously in the area at the time on Thursday to contact me, so we can bring those responsible to justice. I would also be keen to hear from anyone who has been offered computer equipment for sale since the burglary.”

Contact DC Burgess on 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or crimestoppers-uk.org If you would like to donate to Ms Steel’s online collection for Look, go to justgiving.com/ Rachaelsteel