The St Vincent's Hospice shop in Paisley faces a race against time to re-open before Christmas
Thieves have raided a hospice charity shop just days before Christmas.
The St Vincent’s Hospice shop in Paisley has been forced to close after a break-in early on Sunday.
Heartless vandals damaged the shop’s shutters and stole cash registers that were filled with money that was due to go towards the running of the hospice.
The charity now faces a race against time to re-open before Christmas, and is asking for support from the local community.
Jackie Young, director of income generation for the hospice, said: “We are shocked and saddened that someone would do this just days before Christmas.
“Not only have we lost the contents of our cash register and safe, but the break-in has caused extensive damage to our store, the security shutters and locks on the doors.
“All proceeds from our shops go directly towards allowing us to continue to offer the care and support we do for people throughout the community.
“We are asking for any local businesses or tradesmen to please help us repair the damage caused to our shop and get it back in business over the festive season.”
Police are investigating and Inspector Tracy Harkins hit out at the thieves.
“This was a truly deplorable crime, just days before Christmas,” she said.
“The shop will now be forced to close its doors for several days at its busiest time of the year, meaning less money for the hospice.
“We are carrying out extensive enquiries into this terrible crime and we would appeal to anyone with any information to come forward and speak to police on 101.”
