Police investigate after donations stolen from Highland Hospice warehouse – bags were deliberately opened and items which were left outside the Inverness building were rummaged through and strewn across the area in Harbour Road
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A suspected theft has left Highland Hospice staff devastated as the charity strives to bounce back after lockdown.
Staff and volunteers at the charity’s warehouse in Harbour Road, Inverness arrived at work on Monday to find bags of donations left at the site had been cut open and items strewn across the car park.
They believe a thief took what they wanted and simply left the rest, with a man having been spotted loading items into a van on Sunday evening.
The matter was reported to the police who are now investigating.
Highland Hospice retail manager Susan Cooper said: “Highland Hospice is close to so many people’s hearts, and we are extremely fortunate to have so much support from the public.
“Our warehouse has been overwhelmed with valuable donations since we reopened, all of which have been gratefully received.
“The Hospice requires £7000 a day to keep our many services running, and our retail operation is vital to the funding of this.
“It is so disappointing to know that anyone would take donations from our charity which provides vital care to the whole of the Highlands.”
The warehouse will be closed until Monday due to staff shortages and members of the public are requested to hold on to any donations they would like to give until then.
The charity also requested that even outside this period people should only bring donations of goods for sale during opening times, to make sure they are received.
Highland Hospice is currently keen to recruit more volunteers able to spare even just a few hours a week for the charity.
•For more information visit here.
