A charity shop will close its doors for the last time next week after almost ten years.

Strive In the Way of Allah (SIWA), founded by Khadijah Kamara, raises money for people in Sierra Leone, supporting the education of orphans and building water pumps in the west African country.

However, the charity’s store in Lewes Road, Brighton, which has been open since 2015, will close for good on Monday, May 15.

Signs in the window of the store written by Ms Kamara said: “It has been a long journey and it’s now time to say goodbye.

“During this long journey, I have cried, laughed, listened, and smiled. I’ve been loud, quiet, happy and sad, and I have come out all grown.

“I thank both the negatives, but mostly the positives of this experience, both of which have brought growth to my life.

“I would like to thank each one of you for all the memories we have created together. They will remain with me for ever.

“It has been a great journey, adventure and learning experience.”

The Argus: The site is now available to let, according to a poster in the store's windowThe site is now available to let, according to a poster in the store's window (Image: The Argus)

Ms Kamara clarified that while the charity shop is closing, the charity itself will continue to operate online.

The closure comes just three months after Ms Kamara hit back after being plagued by a series of thefts.

One incident saw a pram worth £100 stolen from the shop, which Ms Kamara claimed would have helped feed ten orphans in Sierra Leone.

She said: “When they stole that pushchair, that could have helped ten kids and I was really angry; not for me, but they are stealing from them.

“For someone to come to a charity shop, of all places, and do that, it has really hurt me.”

In response, Ms Kamara had put up several posters in the window of the store in an attempt to ward off potential thieves.

Some of the signs read: “You are stealing from orphan children and those who have no source of income. They rely on this shop - what a sad life you choose to live.”

A new poster in the window of the store said that the site is available to let to a new business.

In 2015 Khadijah Kamara lost her son Ibrahim when he travelled to the Middle East to fight alongside Al Qaeda terrorists with the al-Nusra Front. The 19-year-old was killed by a US air strike as he and other rebels attempted to topple the Assad regime in Syria.

She has since backed new guidelines to teach schoolchildren about terrorism saying they could have saved her son.