Local charity Age UK Lancashire have been left devastated after their new furniture shop in Lancaster was broken into over the Bank Holiday weekend.
Thieves broke in through a window and ransacked the shop, damaging donated stock, stealing cash and computer equipment, leaving the charity facing a huge bill to mend the damage and losing out on valuable trading time while the shop is put back together.
Chief Executive of Age UK Lancashire, Teri Stephenson, said: “We are heartbroken by this mindless act and the staff and volunteers who have worked so hard to get the new shop up and running are particularly devastated. We really can’t understand why anyone would target a charity shop in this way and are working closely with the police and other local businesses to try and find the people responsible”.
The charity shop, located on the Kingsway Retail Park in Lancaster, only opened in April this year and provides a crucial income stream for the charity, who deliver services and support for the most vulnerable older people in Lancashire. The shop specialises in selling preloved furniture and household items and had got off to a really positive start since opening.
Teri Stephenson added: “In what has been an exhausting and challenging 14 months for us, providing vital support to people during the coronavirus pandemic, we were looking forward to a more positive future after the terrible impact the closure of our charity shops during 3 national lockdowns has had on our income, but this has hit us hard and we now have to try and overcome this huge blow”.
“The damage caused to the shop includes a broken window, internal wall damage, the safe damaged beyond repair, till damage and loss of valuable donations. We’re keen to get this shop back up and running as soon as possible, so if people are able to help us in any way, including donating stock, please do get in touch.”
“We would like to thank Morecambe Bay Glass who came out on Bank Holiday to board up the window for the cost of materials. We now need additional security measures to protect us for the future, if any businesses are able to help us”.
Age UK Lancashire relies on generating their own income from their shops, fundraising and public donations and since the start of the pandemic has helped more than 14,000 older people and families through emergency shopping, regular phone calls, ongoing support after hospital stays and periods of illness, plus supporting people living with dementia.
If you are able to help the charity please contact them on 0300 303 1234 or email admin@ageuklancs.org.uk
Man accused of stealing joints of meat at Lancaster Asda by hiding them in his trousers
LISTEN and PHOTOS: Spectacular display of 12,000 poppies unveiled at Lancaster landmark
Eden Project Morecambe boss gives update on early stages of work on new £100m attraction
Lancaster, Morecambe and Carnforth Remembrance services announced
Road closures for pre-Tour de France work announced for Lancaster district
Lancaster rock guitarist braves beard shave for charity
Two arrests made after post office robbery in Lancaster
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra to perform concert for schools at Morecambe Winter Gardens
PHOTOS: Plans go in for major Lancaster regeneration scheme
Lancaster music venue's heartfelt message ahead of final night on New Year's Eve
Morecambe school named among one of England's most improved for attendance
Lancaster hospital nursing boss appointed to University of Cumbria honorary role
Morecambe Football Club placed under another embargo by the National League
£1.5m Lancaster scheme to boost water quality in River Lune is complete
Family pays tribute to Lancaster pensioner who died in road crash
Popular artist's print of Morecambe Bay Academy to be launched at alumni evening
Work set to begin on new Heysham skate park
Light Up Lancaster promises to illuminate city with ‘No Boundaries’
Sadness as Morecambe sports and social club suffers break-in on night of reopening
Man arrested after death of pensioner in Lancaster road crash
