CALLOUS thieves broke into a charity shop in Holmer Green at the weekend and stole £1,000, which would have been used to nurse seriously ill patients.

Between 6pm on Saturday night and 6am on Sunday morning thieves targeted the Iain Rennie Hospice at Home Charity Shop in Pond Approach.

The lock on the front door was damaged and panes of glass in the Georgian-style door were carefully removed to gain access to the shop.

The thieves stole the float from the till, a small amount of petty cash and removed the safe from the wall of the office which contained about £950.

The shop has been there for three years and it is the first time that a robbery like this has happened.

Lesley Blencowe, director of retail and trading at Rennie Grove Hospice Care, said: "We are very disappointed that these individuals have targeted our shop in this way. The amount stolen would have funded 50 hours of nursing care provided by our Iain Rennie nurses in patients’ own homes, offering help and support to local patients diagnosed with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses and their families.

"Everyone from our shop manager and her dedicated volunteer staff to the members of the local community who support the shop with donations and custom feels really shocked and let down that their kind contributions to a good cause have been so callously taken."

Rennie Grove Hospice Care incorporates Iain Rennie Hospice at Home and Grove House and offers specialist responsive 24/7 hospice at home care for adults and children with a life-limiting illness in Bucks and Herts.

All services are provided at no cost to the patient and Rennie Grove relies heavily on public support to fund more than 85 per cent of its care.

Anyone with any information regarding the robbery should contact Thames Valley Police on 101.