THIEVES have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage at a charity shop after breaking in and stealing the takings.

The Teesside Hospice store in Saltburn, which raises money for the terminally ill, was targeted at 6.30pm last night (Wednesday).

The shop’s manager has labelled the crime ‘the lowest of the low’ and described its impact on the charity.

Although the thieves only managed to get away with a small amount of cash, left on the premises overnight, its impact will have a much bigger effect on the charity

The store manager said: “Luckily, we had banked the majority of the cash taken during the day so they didn’t get away with a huge amount but the cost of the damage caused is significant. It’s just low, it’s the lowest of the low.

“It’s just violated us really, the cost to get it fixed is going to take away from the people we care for.”

The manager discovered the damage after the charity was notified by a neighbour who spotted the door had been forced open.

She added: “At the hospice we are caring for our own local people who have a terminal illness. It’s so sad that it’s a member of our own community has done this – I don’t know how they can live with themselves. Everyone has been so shocked that someone could do this.”

For more information about Teesside Hospice, visit www.teessidehospice.org