A MENTAL health charity has thanked kind-hearted donors who gave it more than £300 after thieves targeted its fundraising stall at Whitby Goth Weekend.

Scarborough Whitby and Ryedale Mind bosses said almost £1,000 was taken from a chair behind its volunteer-run stall at Whitby Pavilion, between 5pm and 5.30pm on Saturday (April 23).

The money had been raised over two days from the sale of clothing, including many donated gothic items such as corsets and dresses.

The charity, which is supported by best-selling author GP Taylor and helps thousands of people annually in the area, was saved from closure last year after raising more than £10,000 of the £20,000 it needed in the last 24 hours of a month-long appeal.

Police are continuing to investigate the theft, but it is understood the stall was in an area not covered by CCTV.

Sophie Hall, the charity's chief executive, said: “We would like to thank every single person who donated to us following the news of the theft from our fundraising stall.

“We are still in shock as to how anyone could be so cruel as to steal from a charity. If anyone saw anything that they might think will help the investigation please get in touch with police.”

Anyone with information about the theft should call police on 101 quoting reference number NYP 2404016-00226.