A charity shop has been left counting the cost after being targeted by thieves in the run-up to Christmas.
 

Staff and volunteers at the St Barnabas Hospice shop in Rowlands Road, Worthing, were left “shocked and upset” at the raid.
 

Thieves forced their way in through the front door and took two collection tins at some time overnight on Thursday.
 

Relief assistant manager Sherian Skinner said: “We are devastated our shop has been targeted in this way.
 

“We have been part of the Rowlands Road community for more than 20 years and have a loyal and generous band of customers and volunteers who support the hospice in any way they can, helping to raise vital funds for our patients and their families.
 

“Not only did the thieves escape with our collecting tins – probably less than £50 – they also caused extensive damage to our front door.
 

“We are now faced with a repair bill of around £400 and will have to spend more on increasing our security measures, money which should be going directly to providing care for our patients.
 

“It’s a horrible thing to happen at any time of the year, but even worse in the run-up to Christmas.
 

“Our customers and staff have been brilliant with everyone rallying round and supporting us and I would like to say thank you to them for their kindness.”
 

In August thieves caused more than £1,000 damage after breaking into a distribution centre in Broadwater, Worthing, used as a base for the hospice charity shops.
 

Stock at the centre is sorted and sent out to more than 20 shops across Sussex in aid of St Barnabas House and its sister hospice, the Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice near Arundel.
 

Anyone with information about the latest break in at Rowlands Road are asked to call Sussex Police on 101.