A hospice has thanked the public for their support after a devastating break-in at its charity shop warehouse in Maldon.

The Farleigh Hospice charity was “shocked and saddened” when its Homeware Clearance Warehouse in Maldon was broken into last week.

The huge warehouse, on Wycke Hill Business Park behind Morrisons, opened its doors in July 2018, offering fashion and home goods.

Since the break-in there has been a series of fundraisers organised by businesses and residents in Maldon.

The Queen Victoria Pub, in Spital Road, hosted a pub quiz on Sunday night, where the winning team decided to donate their £92 winnings to the hospice.

The annual drive-by from Santa, supported by Johnstone’s Decorating Centre and Brooks Bro’s, will this year donate collected money to Farleigh Hospice as well as the Fire Fighters Charity.

Lots of Maldon residents have visited the warehouse to make donations after hearing the news of the break-in and the charity has thanked them for their generosity.

A three-figure sum was estimated to have been stolen from the warehouse, on top of the thousands of pounds in damage.

The warehouse raised money to help fund the charity in supporting people and families affected by life-limiting illnesses and bereavement in mid-Essex.

Farleigh Hospice commercial director Pauline Harvey said: “Our staff and volunteers show such commitment to raising money for Farleigh Hospice so we can be there for the local people who need our care and support, making this incident all the more upsetting.

“I cannot praise the whole Farleigh team enough for the way they pulled together to ensure we were back up and running and here for our customers the very next day.

“I would also like to say a heartfelt thank you to our local community - we have been very humbled and are truly grateful for the kind donations, well wishes and offers of help that we have received in light of this break-in.

“It’s wonderful to know you are here for us as much as we are for you.”