THIEVES targeted hospice care charity Phyllis Tuckwell during the early hours June 6, stealing £200 intended for the care of terminally-ill patients.

The burglary took place at around 3am, when thieves broke in to one of the administration offices to the rear of the hospice building on Waverley Lane.

They gained entry through the fire door, breaking the frame and removing the glass window, searched the office with torches and took £200 in cash before leaving via the same route, according to the police.

The incident was captured on the hospice’s CCTV cameras.

Joiners Howden’s, based in Farnham, donated two new solid wood fire doors, enabling the charity to replace both the broken one and a second one which was of the same design, so potential intruders will no longer be able to remove a glass panel to gain entry.

Tony Carpenter, director of marketing and communications at Phyllis Tuckwell, said: “Thankfully incidents like this are very rare, but we find it despicable that thieves could steal money from a charity - money that has been raised to fund the important end of life care we offer our local community.

“Money is rarely kept in offices at the hospice overnight. It was only there as a member of staff had dropped it off at the weekend.

“It was locked away, but the thieves broke the lock and took the money - nothing else was taken.

“The area which was targeted is not near the hospice’s in-patient unit, which is continually staffed, as it cares for patients and families 24 hours a day, and I want to reassure people that no patients or staff, or any confidential patient data, were at risk during the break-in.”

This burglary follows a number of incidents in the town where thieves appear to be after just money, so neighbouring residents are asked to be especially vigilant and report anything suspicious to the police.

Anyone with any information relating to this incident, should call Phyllis Tuckwell on 01252 729400 or go directly to Surrey Police by calling 101, or call Crimestoppers free on 0800 555111.