The alarm at the Rutherglen Wine Experience and visitor information centre on Main Street was activated when the building was broken into.

The thieves caused minor damage to the back door of the building before they fled with only the charity bucket.

President of the Albury Tigers Football Club Gavan Schultz said the news was disappointing.

“It wouldn’t matter what cause the bucket was for, as a community person I’m disappointed that someone could break into any premises and the fact there was a James McQuillan future fund bucket in there disappoints me,” he said.

James McQuillan suffered a life-changing spinal injury in the first round of the Ovens and Murray season and has since made significant progress with the help of the money raised through buckets like the one stolen.

Sgt Brian Curran said police were continuing their inquiries.

“Obviously it was a pretty low act to steal something of that nature and we are appealing to anyone who may have been out and about last night or early hours of this morning and may have seen anything suspicious,” Sgt Curran said.