“DESPICABLE” thieves have raided a charity shop which raises money for disadvantaged children.

The burglars targeted Colchester Children’s Charity shop, in Old Heath Road.

They broke open the till to steal less than £20, before pocketing money raised by selling tombola tickets.

The raiders also stole tools which had been left in the shop while work is being carried out to improve the shelving.

They broke into cabinets taking costume jewellery and cameras before leaving with the haul inside a large wicker basket.

Roy Kemp, who is treasurer of the charity and a trustee, said: “We are a charity which raises money for children in need.

“To steal from a children’s charity is absolutely despicable, it is unbelievable.”

The thieves are believed to have got into the shop at about 12.30am yesterday, and were inside for about 15 minutes.

Mr Kemp said: “We can’t believe they did it. The shop is right on the main road and the lights come on automatically, so they must have been seen.

“They got less than £20 from the till, but it is completely broken.

They stole my tools and the workman’s tools which we were using on the shop.”

The charity opened the shop in January. It also has a shop opposite in Old Heath Road and a shop in Mersea Road, Colchester.

Last year, the charity raised £76,000, which was given to disabled and poorly children.

Mr Kemp said the raid was the latest in a series of setbacks for the charity.

He claimed untrue accusations have been made about himself and another trustee, Val Thompson, and that a report had been sent off to the Charities’ Commission.

Mr Kemp said: “It is all lies.

There was a rumour Val had an unspent conviction, when she has never been in trouble with the police in her life.

“I was accused of spending money from the charity, which is also total rubbish.

“We also had Trading Standards here today, after someone reported us, saying we were selling electrical goods without a PAT certificate.

“Trading Standards gave us a clean bill of health and told us with charities it is only an advisory, not a requirement.

“Someone has it in for us.”

Police have been to the shop and are to look at CCTV images recorded by the neighbouring Co-op store.

Anyone with information about the raid, is asked to contact Essex Police on 101, quoting crime reference number CF0261510315.