STAFF and volunteers at St David’s Hospice have been left shocked and upset after thieves targeted the charity.

Properties in Mochdre, that help raise money for end of life care in north West Wales, were victim to costly damage during two overnight break-ins the space of three days. The charity’s Donation Centre on Quinton Hazel Enterprise Park was targeted overnight on Thursday November 7 followed by the Reuse Shop at The Household Recycling Centre in Mochdre on the evening of Sunday 10. Staff at the Donation Centre, which acts as the main drop off point for the St David’s Hospice shops, discovered an attempted break in on Friday morning which was unsuccessful but caused damage to doors and windows. In the second break in at the Reuse Shop they gained entrance.

Jamie Parks, Hospice Warehouse Manager, said: “We’re shocked and disappointed thieves would target us and attempt to take money and stock that should have gone to the charity. Members of our retail team discovered the break ins when they went to open up the following day. At the Reuse Shop the opportunist broke the window at the front of the building, damage display cabinets, rifled through drawers, broke the cash register and stole the £50 float. They then tried to take a bike which they got stuck on the fencing. The police are now involved and we have had to close the Reuse Shop to allow for an investigation to take place meaning we lose a day’s business.

“It has obviously had an impact on our team, who are all very dedicated to supporting the Hospice.”