£1k stolen Oscar Knox cash left in church

Oscar Knox cuddles up with mum Leona and dad Stephen

Almost £1,000 which had been stolen following a charity event for a three-year-old child with cancer is thought to have been left in a church in Omagh.

The money was left in the porch of the Sacred Heart Church on Sunday marked for the Oscar Knox appeal.

Oscar Knox was diagnosed with neuroblastoma - a rare cancer which mainly affects children - in November.

On Friday night the "Take me out" event in Omagh raised £1,993 for the Mallusk boy's treatment.

However, £1,000 of that was stolen in a break-in at the home of one of the organisers in Omagh some time on Friday night or Saturday morning.

Police have said they are investigating the burglary at Coolnagard Lane.

An anonymous donor also gave £1,000 to the Oscar Knox Appeal to replace the stolen money.

Oscar's father Stephen had said he was disgusted by the theft.

However, he praised the anonymous donor who had come forward with £1,000 for the appeal and said it was not the first time the family had encountered such generosity.

Oscar before he was diagnosed

Mr Knox said that Oscar had been responding well to treatment.

Earlier this year, Oscar's parents set up a Twitter account so they could update friends and family on Oscar's condition each time he was in hospital.

He is now followed by thousands of people across the world.