Health officials are said to have received �2,500 from the appeal

A newspaper claims the Little Sunbeams appeal has raised thousands of pounds for Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth, but has so far received just �2,500.

Ceredigion and Mid Wales NHS Trust contacted police because it had not heard from Angela Whitehead, who set up the appeal in 2003, for some months.

BBC Wales has made several attempts to speak to her, without success.

The BBC News website has left a number of messages on her mobile phone over two days, but she has failed to reply.

Dyfed-Powys Police confirmed they were making inquiries.

In August 2003, Ms Whitehead, from Llanon, near Aberystwyth, decided to establish the fund after her daughter gave birth prematurely.

She said at the time she hoped to raise �50,000 for equipment for the special care baby unit at Bronglais.

We are concerned that we cannot make contact with Ms Whitehead because people are continuing to donate to the appeal Allison Williams, health trust

But the trust which runs the hospital said it was concerned.

Chief executive Allison Williams said: "Due to our inability to contact Ms Whitehead over a long period of time we took advice from the charity commissioners who advised us to contact the police.

"The police are doing everything within their power to contact the leader of the appeal so that contact can be re-established.

"We are concerned that we cannot make contact with Ms Whitehead because people are continuing to donate to the appeal."

Detective Inspector Mark Bergmanski said: "We are currently investigating a complaint made by the local health trust in relation to the Little Sunbeams appeal."

Bank account

BBC Wales has also visited her home in Llanon and spoke to her partner. He did not want to be named, but said she was in Leeds caring for a sick relative.

He said that "as far as he knew" the money was "safe inside" the Little Sunbeams appeal bank account.

Ms Whitehead's partner said the appeal was "something close to her heart."

It seems to be the case that there has been substantially more raised than has been given to Bronglais Hospital Simon Thomas MP

"As far as I know there's nothing wrong with the fund," he added.

"Angela was supposed to be coming back before Christmas, but she had to stay a bit longer to look after a sick relative.

"The fund is Angela's baby and I'm unaware that the police or the health trust have been trying to get in touch with her."

Her partner said: "The appeal is something close to her (Angela's) heart and as far as I know the money is safe inside a bank account where it's always been.

"Angela is originally from Yorkshire, hence why she's in the Leeds area. I haven't spoken to her for a few days though."

Ceredigion's weekly newspaper, the Cambrian News, which has helped publicise the appeal, said its readers had raised �13,000 for it so far.

Meanwhile, Ceredigion MP Simon Thomas said Ms Whitehead had made inquiries about making Little Sunbeams an official charity and asked for his help.

"I was asked to become a patron, but Ms Whitehead didn't come back with anything official and the fund didn't get registered as a charity in the end," said Mr Thomas.

"It seems to be the case that there has been substantially more raised than has been given to Bronglais Hospital. I understand it has received �2,500."

Mr Thomas added: "There have been several stories about her receiving cheques for money raised in the local newspaper and she seemed very successful at this sort of thing.

"The campaign gained momentum and was supported by the weekly newspaper."

Mr Thomas said Ms Whitehead "does have an obligation to pass the money on."

He said he had not spoken to Ms Whitehead for almost a year and had attempted to contact her.