HORRIFIED staff and volunteers at a charity shop are appealing for donations after burglars stole takings that would have paid the costs of a hospice nurse for four days.

The Sue Ryder outlet in Lisieux Way, Taunton, was targeted over the weekend by thieves, who badly damaged the back door as well as stealing an unspecified quantity of cash.

The break in took place between closing time at 5pm on Saturday and 10am on the following day.

Shocked staff discovered the thefts when they opened up first thing on Sunday morning.

The premises remained closed for most of the rest of the day while police investigations took place.

Shop manager Vicky Woods is now appealing to the public for donations to help replenish lost funds at the shop, which stocks a wide selection of second-hand clothes, accessories, homewares and books.

She added: “It was such a shock for my volunteers and me to arrive at our shop on Sunday morning to find that it had been broken into.

“It’s one thing to break into a shop, and another when it’s one that for more than 15 years has helped fund a charity’s care for people facing a terminal illness, a complex neurological condition or the loss of a loved one.

“Thankfully the broken door will be covered by our insurance policy, but it’s the principle.

"And what’s not covered by insurance is our loss of earnings – the money stolen from our safe and the money we would have made on Sunday from a normal day’s trade. We estimate that this money could have covered the costs of a hospice nurse for four days.

"To help make up for these lost funds we’d be really grateful for online donations (sueryder.org/donate) to help support our care."

The Taunton charity shop is one of more than 450 across the whole country that supports Sue Ryder’s palliative, neurological and bereavement care.

The charity was founded in 1953 by Sue Ryder, with the creation of a nursing home in Suffolk. It supports people with complex needs and life-threatening illnesses.