A KIDDERMINSTER charity shop is close to replacing hundreds of pounds stolen during a raid following a public appeal.

A break-in, which caused thousands of pounds worth of damage, happened at Sense on High Street last Tuesday (October 15). 

Significant damage was caused to the roof, the ventilation points, bars protecting the windows, and the safe where £470 in cash was stolen from. 

Kidderminster Shuttle:

An online campaign started to recoup the funds has now raised £450, and the shop has received double the amount of their usual item donations. 

Builders and electricians in the community have also reached out to the shop to help. 

The charity shop, which opened in May this year, has now had initial maintenance work following the break-in and will spend vital funds installing new window bars and repairing the ventilation. 

A spokesperson for Sense said: "We have raised £450 and we are close to reaching our target. 

"Donations have doubled over the door. 

"The level of support has been fantastic. This has been a really heart-felt outcome. 

"The community has been outstanding. Builders have reached out to us and electricians. 

"We are always looking for donations and we are more than happy to take on volunteers." 

People can donate to Sense's JustGiving page via justgiving.com/fundraising/sensekidderminster

The page will be active until the end of October. 

Sense has also appealed for donations of unwanted clothing, brick-a-brack, books, shoes and furniture to help replace the lost funds.

Manager Christopher Stephens discovered the extensive damage when opening up shop on the Tuesday and called the break-in "disgusting." 

Kidderminster Shuttle:

He said previously: "It's nice to know there are lots of kind-hearted people helping us out.

"It's restored my faith in humanity a little bit.

"But by the same token I wish it had never happened."