Nathaniel Prudhomme, left, his sister Rowan, and friend Elijah Rainville were selling chocolates door-to-door along Aberdeen Street S.E. on Sunday afternoon as part of a school fundraiser when two thieves made off with their proceeds. The money was to go toward a class trip to northern Ontario.--NEWS PHOTO EMMA BENNETT

COLLIN GALLANT
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Twitter: CollinGallant
Three children got a scare Sunday when the proceeds of their door-to-door candy drive were stolen by older teenagers on the Southeast Hill.
Police are investigating the incident that occurred at about 1 p.m. Sunday on the corner of Third Street and Aberdeen Street.
The children were not harmed and only about $40 was taken but their mothers are disappointed that such a crime would occur.
"My son's first concern was that they'd have to repay the school or get a job," said Shawna Rainville, whose son Elijah was selling chocolate covered almonds to raise money for a school trip along with classmate Nathaniel Prudhomme, also 12, and his eight-year-old sister Rowan.
"The night before we told them it was too dark to go out," said Christine Prudhomme. "And then something like this happens in the middle of the afternoon, on a Sunday, and in this neighbourhood?"
The two boys attend Ecole les Cypres, the Francophone school in the former Central Park School building, and had been raising money towards next month's trip to a Francophone school in Hurst, Ont., near Hudson's Bay.
They had been out selling for about an hour on Sunday when two older teens asked them what they were selling. They left, but followed closely for a block. They approached again, said Rowan Prudhomme, then a third time, and told the young girl to "put the money right here."
"Then I ran," she said.
Acting S/Sgt. Jeff Wieschorster, of the Medicine Hat Police Service, said that even though the incident doesn't involve much money, the act is being taken very seriously, and that children shouldn't need to be fearful or subjected to any sort of crime.
"That's not even considering that the money was going to a good cause," said Wieschorster. "Hopefully we can get some information from the public and get these guys."
Both males were described as being 18 to 20 years old.
One culprit wore a blue hooded sweatshirt, a ball cap with the "Monster" energy drink logo on it, and had brown-coloured "hockey hair." The other wore a black "Echo" brand sweater and had blonde hair.
The three young fundraisers were in good spirits on Monday, and hoped to continue their work in the future.
"They're out there all the time," said Christine Prudhomme, who said the children also canvass for the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Miywasin Centre, sell Girl Guide cookies and collect bottles.
"We'll always go in pairs," said Nataniel.
"And maybe take a parent," said Elijah.