'˜It has restored my faith in humanity'

Barbara Boyd, who has run The Little Shop of Hobbies on Pedder Street for 20 years with her daughter Victoria Boyd-Power, said she was very disheartened when thieves broke into her shop and stole a charity bucket full of cash.

But since then people have volunteered to help Barbara, while homeless people have kept a look out for anything suspicious and she has had wonderful feedback from customers.

Barbara said: “They didn’t take any stock, they just ransacked the place and took the charity money.

“They will have just got away with a pocketful of change. The community spirit has been absolutely marvellous, the man that came to repair the door didn’t charge us and the wrestling people are going to go round with a hat for the hospice at their next event.

“Everyone has been so kind. We had a beautiful shop counter which we bought from the railway shop when it shut and they smashed the glass in that, which might not be able to be fixed. We put the till back together and everything is now ship shape.

“I think there’s got to be more involved , I don’t think its just vandalism, I think they wanted money for drugs. The homeless people said its bad for them and is giving them a bad name.

“They come into the shop across the road and said they would keep a look out for us.

“We just want people to know we are open for business.”

Police were called when staff at the shop discovered the burglary when they opened up on Tuesday October 4. Intruders had broken into the shop and ransacked it, causing damage, before stealing £60 from charity boxes.

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting reference 337 of October 4.

Little Shop of Hobbies is fundraising for St John’s Hospice North Lancashire.

Donate to their JustGiving page https://t.co/PUwyK0wIj2.