Burglars struck at the Black Horse in Seaside between closing time Wednesday night and 4am yesterday.
They kicked a door in at the rear and forced open cash boxes on the pool table and tried to get cash from a cigarette vending machine and fruit machines.
Before they fled, thieves took collection boxes for the PDSA, Barnardo's, Help the Heroes and one for Joseph Townsend, the marine from Eastbourne who was recently injured in Afghanistan.
The pub had been collecting cash for Joseph and sponsorship money for fireman and former soldier Rick Plummer, who is cycling from Croydon to Eastbourne later this month to raise cash for Headley Court, the rehabilitation centre for injured troops.
Landlady June Kellichan was devastated at the break-in. She told the Herald, "It is absolutely disgusting. I cannot believe somebody would steal collection boxes. They should be very ashamed."
Anyone with any information on the break-in is asked to contact Eastbourne Police on 0845 6070999.