A CHARITY has been devastated by thieves who stole almost £1,000 of much-needed cash from a fund-raising stall.

It was stolen during Whitby Goth Weekend, an annual extravaganza which brings thousands of visitors to the resort.

The theft is believed to have happened between 5pm and 5.30pm last Saturday, April 23, from a charity stall run by Scarborough Whitby and Ryedale Mind.

The charity – which was saved from closure last year – runs a host of projects across the region and goes fundraising in Whitby Pavilion at every Goth Weekend.

The stall was held on the Friday and Saturday between 8.30am and 5pm next to the bar in the café seating area and was extremely popular throughout the two days.

The money, which was raised over two days from the sale of clothing including many donated goth items such as corsets and dresses, was contained in a black bag with a silver clasp that was attached to the back of a chair.

The stall was run by Sarah Skidmore, who runs a mental health support group in the town on behalf of the charity.

“I’m devastated and in tears,” she said.

“How could anyone steal from a charity? It’s sick. Whoever has done this is the lowest of the low.

“We were so busy running the stall we were unaware of seeing anything suspicious.”

She added: “We’d like to thank everyone who came this year and made a donation. We are just praying someone will come forward and hand the money in anonymously.”

The charity’s chief executive, Sophie Hall, said: “We are absolutely gutted. If anyone has seen anything at all that might help the police investigation please contact them.

“The money that was taken would have been used to help people in the Whitby area which makes this all the more upsetting.”

Anyone who has information about the theft is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 111.

If anyone would like to make a donation to the charity they can do so by calling 01723-588008, visiting swrmind.org.uk or via justgiving.com/swrmind