The family of a 9-year-old boy who suffers from a rare congenital disorder are struggling to come with terms this morning, with the news that a heartless thief stole their son's surgery money, that was recently collected at a fundraiser.

Aidan Sullivan was born with Hemifacial Microsoma, where the right side of his face, skull and jaw  is underdeveloped. He is also missing her right ear.

“I want to look normal,” Aidan told a reporter.
 
“He came to Tim and I and he said, ‘Mommy and daddy, I want an ear’,” Coleen Sullivan told CBS news.

The life changing surgery was scheduled for next March. Coleen and her husband Tim, who works as a New York City firefighter, organized a fundraiser last weekend for their son at an Irish cultural center in Danbury, Connecticut.

However the parents were shocked when it emerged that a thief snatched Aidan’s proceeds of $8,000 in cash and checks.

“I was devastated, I’ve done a lot of crying. I’m very angry,” said Colleen Sullivan.

“I just feel terrible that somebody would take money from a kid, especially my kid, but any kid,” Timothy Sullivan said.

This operation would have been number 11 for 9-year-old Aidan. The surgeries cost more than the families insurance, donations make up the balance.

Family, friends and Tim's colleagues from the fire department showed up in support for Aidan's fundraiser. Despite there being few strangers at the event, no on is sure who took the money.

Aidan's family are adamant that the operation will go ahead.

“He will have his surgery. Tim and I have said we will figure it out, we will do it, and if that means we have to call the doctor and make monthly payments, we will do it,” Colleen said.

“We just gotta keep pushing forward and whatever it takes to raise the funds, pay the bills that are incurred by this we’re going to do,” Tim Sullivan said. “We’re hoping for the good in people but the police think the money is gone.”

Police in Danbury, Connecticut are investigating the theft.

The family has set up a Facebook page for anyone interested in donating.