THE parents of a nine-month-old boy about to undergo open-heart surgery are devastated by the theft of their charity collection box during Christmas. Jason Davies and Shelley Zie put collection boxes around the village to help Bristol Children's Hospital, where their youngest son Jay is being treated for a serious heart defect, Tetralogy of Fallot. All the money will go towards the Wallace and Gromit Grand Appeal to buy equipment to improve the lives of extremely ill children. But despite efforts by Shaldon villagers who have rallied around to fill boxes at shops and businesses, a box was stolen from The Clipper Café during Christmas . It was stuffed with donations from kind-hearted customers and the tips from generous staff. It is a blow to the family, who have had a gruelling year. Mum Shelley, of Coombe Road, ringmore, said: 'We put the boxes out at the beginning of summer when Jay was 12 weeks old. We have had so much support. we held a book sale outside our house and people have left donations. 'But we have been left devastated by this, so soon before Jay is due for his operation. 'I just hope that the people who took it get more enjoyment from the money than the children would of at the hospital,' she said. More than £300 was raised by the collection after the St Peter's Church Christingle service. Holidaymakers at the Devon Valley holiday park have also donated towards the worthy cause and Jay's brothers and sisters have also held collections at their schools. Jay was diagnosed with the condition at 12 weeks old. The defect, which affects one in 5,000 children, means that not enough oxygen flows around his body. The youngster has to be tube fed because he has too little energy to be fed on a bottle. But doctors hope that the five-hour operation will lead to complete repair. There is a 95 per cent success rate and, if all goes well, Jay should be able to live a normal life. Shelley said: 'We want to say a huge thank you to every one who has supported us so far. We are so grateful for your kindness during this difficult time,' she said.