A CHARITY was left sickened after a bogus collector used poorly children as a cover for his con.

Now police are calling for help to trap the conman.

They have appealed for anyone who has seen the man, who has taken money from at least two businesses in Preston, to come forward.

The conman, who spoke with a North-Eastern accent, used old official forms and a distinctive tatty yellow collecting tub from the National Asthma Campaign, to back up his fraud.

He said the money was going straight to sick children. National Asthma Campaign Chief Executive Melinda Letts said: "We can only condemn anyone who fraudulently gains money from our individual and corporate supporters by illegally posing as a fundraiser.

"To prey on people's generosity and concern about the rising incidence of asthma in order to raise money for personal gain is not only illegal but also immoral."

DC Chris Gregson of Preston police said: "We want people to come forward who have been approached by this man because enquiries are ongoing.

"This kind of thing reduces the credibility of legal charities."

The fraudster was in his early 50s and was stocky with grey, balding hair and gold rimmed glasses. Contact DC Chris Gregson or DC Graham McClure on 209154 with information.

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