RAIDERS have ransacked a Worcester charity shop which helps support people with life-threatening illnesses.

Among the items stolen - the value of which could run to thousands of pounds - were a charity collection box, computer hardware, jewellery and a safe.

Kay Lamb, manager of the St Richard's Hospice charity shop on Mealcheapen Street, discovered the break-in when she arrived for work on Tuesday at 8am and saw the door to the shop damaged.

"It was quite a shock. We just didn't expect it to happen. The type of charity we are, you just don't expect people to come and do this to us," she said.

The shop, which has been helping support the charity for more than 12 years and is one of 14 in south Worcestershire, helps bring in about £1m a year - just under one third of the income needed.

Danny Corns, commercial director for Worcester-based charity St Richard's, said what had happened was disgusting.

He said: "The shop provides a huge part of our income and we won't be able to offer the service without it. We are planning to extend our service and we need all the funding we can get."

"All they are doing is just robbing the charity, they are taking it away from the public. It is terrible. They just took for their own ends and sod the consequences," he added.

The shop was up and running again within hours, thanks to the support of its volunteers, but the charity is still counting the cost of what was taken.

It is believed items taken included £733.44 in cash, £100 in antiques, a Dell hard drive valued at £100, a ring valued at £50, cosmetics valued at £80, an unknown brand of mobile phone valued at £50 and ornaments valued at £50.

A further £1,600 damage was done to the property and contents, including computer equipment and furniture.

PC Richard Harris, of Worcester police, said: "This is a callous crime, targeting a charity well known for its good work in the community.

"The shop is in a busy pedestrian area of the city centre and I would hope someone saw or heard something suspicious, particularly as it is likely the offender or offenders were in the property for some time."

The hospice has been caring for patients since it was founded by Dr Jenny Bulman from her home in Droitwich in 1984, and provides a growing range of services for patients with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses.

In 2006 the charity opened its new hospice in Spetchley, Worcester, which cost £5.2 million. Each year it needs £3.2 million to keep the service running.

Anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area between Monday, January 7, at 5pm and 8am on Tuesday, January 8, or has any information is urged to contact police on 08457 444 888, quoting 78/S/080108, Information can also be given anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.