VOLUNTEER workers in a charity shop have been left distraught after vandals smashed the front windows of their premieses and ruined a Christmas display.

Dozens of teddy bears had to be thrown away because of glass fragments and rain damage. Other items, including plates, were broken.

Target for the vandals was the Demelza charity shop in High Street, Sheerness. It is believed they struck sometime on Saturday night or early Sunday morning.

Shop manager Pat Jefferies said: “We have had to throw away about £200 worth of stock from the Christmas display and the two windows will have to be replaced at a cost of about £1,200."

The Sheerness Times Guardian is appealing for suitable teddies or other Christmas items to replace the damaged stock. You can take contributions to the shop at 115 High Street, Sheerness.

Pat Jefferies added: “Our volunteers work very hard to raise money for the children’s hospice for all sorts of reasons. One has a grandson suffering from cancer so this has hit us all very hard indeed."

The shop is one of several around the county raising money for Demelza, which is based at Bobbing near Sittingbourne. Children with life-limiting illnesses are cared for there.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact police on 01795 477055 or CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.