Heartless thieves trash North Wales hospice charity’s donation centre

Heartless yobs have “trashed” a hospice charity’s donation centre and stolen equipment and stock worth thousands of pounds.

Staff found the devastation at St David’s Hospice donation centre on Bron y Nant Road in Mochdre on Friday morning.

The thugs stole designer clothes, electrical goods and jewellery, which would have been sold to raise funds for the charity.

They even stole tools used to repair furniture, according to a member of staff.

It added more unwanted pressure on the hospice, which was forced to close 26 shops due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Chief executive Trystan Pritchard said: “It’s extremely hurtful that someone would target the hospice at this incredibly difficult time.

“We are fighting for our survival as we have lost most of our income because of the current coronavirus crisis.

“This will make it even harder for us to find enough funds to care for local people at the end of their life.”

The break-in brought condemnation from Mochdre’s Conwy county councillor Adrian Tansley.

He said he was “disgusted” someone would take advantage of the lockdown to target such a needy cause.

Many local people had contacted him about the burglary and feelings were running high in the village, he said.

He added: “If anybody knows anything about this, let the police know. I was disgusted when I heard someone had done this.

“I just hope somebody knows who they are. They didn’t just rob the place, they trashed it.”

Cllr Tansley said there were donations in the village hall that would be given to the hospice as soon as possible.

He added: “It’s ridiculous. The people who did this need bringing to book and I hope they are severely dealt with. As long as they’re above a certain age, they should be named and shamed.”

One heartbroken member of staff has set up a fundraising page for the hospice, which had already raised more than £1,700 by 2pm on Friday.

She said thousands of pounds worth of stock and electrical equipment had been taken and appealed for anyone who sees any of the items or is offered cheap goods to come forward and inform the police.

She added: “This is an appeal for help. If anyone hears or knows of anyone selling designer handbags, shoes, electrical goods, tools, please report to the police.”

A North Wales Police spokesperson said: “We received a report at 10.23am today that St David’s Hospice Centre on Bron y Nant Road in Colwyn Bay had been broken into overnight.

“Cash and jewellery have been stolen. Inquiries are currently ongoing.”

By Jez Hemming – Local Democracy Reporter