Volunteers at a Hartlepool charity shop have spoken of their heartbreak after the store was raided by a burglar.

Shop Fibro Connect-TS, in York Road, was broken into by a man in the early hours of Wednesday, July 22, who stole around £400 in cash.

It included about £150 donated by customer tips that was intended for an upcoming trip for the volunteers to Blackpool.

However, kind-hearted supporters have been quick to show their support, donating money and doing football cards and other fundraisers that have already rapid for the girls’ holiday money.

Fibro Conect-TS volunteers (left to right) Sandy Picton, Pam Kinnersley, Stephen Picton, Francine Firpionn and Vanessa Vaughan outside the York Road shop.

placeholder image — Fibro Conect-TS volunteers (left to right) Sandy Picton, Pam Kinnersley, Stephen Picton, Francine Firpionn and Vanessa Vaughan outside the York Road shop.

Shop volunteer Sandy Picton said: “The staff discovered the break in when they opened up at 8.45am. The till was open and the drawer was on the floor.

“The collection tin on the desk that the girls had been collecting since Christmas for their trip to Blackpool was gone.

“All the girls were in shock. It’s devastating.”

The thief broke into the shop at about 4am after using a crowbar to break through numerous locks on the back door.

The ransacked till and broken door at the shop.

The shop raises money for Hartlepool-based charity Fibro Connect-TS which supports people across Teesside with fribromyalgia, a chronic, long-term condition that causes widespread body pain, fatigue, and sleep problems.

Stephen Picton, the charity’s founder said: “It’s more of a community shop than a charity shop. Our clothes are only 20p and 10p, we put food we collect from supermarkets out the front for people passing on low income.

“We even help the homeless, so to be hit like this it’s a smack in the face.”

But he said the public’s response has been amazing adding: “The girls are still getting their trip to Blackpool.”

Volunteer Vanessa Vaughan said: “It’s sad for the volunteers and all the work we put into it. It really is heartbreaking.”

Fellow helper Pam Kinnersley added: “I just don’t know how they can steal from a charity shop. It’s shocking.”

And volunteer Francine Firpionn, who has fibromyalgia, said: “I was very upset. We all work so hard.”

Cleveland Police are investigating and issued the following appeal: “A man broke into the shop and stole cash and a charity tub. He is described as wearing jeans and a two-tone jacket with the hood pulled up over his head.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting reference SE26144524.