​Police are investigating after money which was set to go to charity was stolen from a community centre

Sick thieves have stolen money which was intended to help families in need.

A charity event at the Hayfield Community Centre in Kirkcaldy took in £835 in donations at the weekend.

However organisers returned to the centre on Monday (3 December) to discover the money, laptops and raffle prizes had been stolen.

The money was set to go to The Cottage Family Centre's festive appeal, which helps struggling households.

Debbie Maxwell, co-organiser of the fundraiser, said: "I was very upset, devastated and then very angry that we had worked so hard to raise the money and it was just gone.

"Our local community who attended dug deep to help us raise the amount we did and we were over the moon with it.

"For it to be stolen was just sickening. They didn't just steal from us or the community centre - the money was going to families who are in desperate need of it at Christmas.

"I really have no words for them, I am disgusted that people can do this without a care in the world - they really are the lowest of the low."

The centre's annual appeal helps to make sure children from struggling families in the area have a present to open on Christmas Day.

It also goes towards providing their households with food and money for heating.

Police Scotland confirmed they are investigating the theft. A spokesman said: "Police in Fife are investigating a break-in and theft from a community centre in Kirkcaldy.

"The incident happened sometime between 1.30pm on Sunday and 6.30am on Monday.

"Inquiries to establish the full circumstances of this incident, and to ascertain what has been stolen, are ongoing."