Heartless Primrose Hospice shoplifters slammed

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BOSSES at the Primrose Hospice have hit out at heartless thieves who have been stealing from the organisation's charity shops.

Shockingly, the Primrose has seen an increase in shoplifting in all of its four stores - Bromsgrove, Rubery, Redditch and Studley.

In one incident in Redditch, a man was seen walking in, picking up a suit, concealing it and walking out.

While at the charity's shop in Rubery, there has been a notable increase in the theft of children's clothes.

The news came to light at a special meeting held at the Primrose Hospice about the issue.

Speaking to The Standard, fund-raising manager Lyn Winters said: "I am appalled and saddened by these selfish individuals.

"How can they do this when we need the revenue so badly?

"Our stock is sold at a fair price and there is always bargains to be found, there is no need for anyone to stoop so low and steal from a charity shop.

"We are not prepared to ignore this behavior and any thieves caught will be prosecuted."

The charity cares for people in Bromsgrove, Redditch and the surrounding area, who have cancer and other life-limiting illnesses.

As well as running a day hospice in St Godwald's Road, Bromsgrove, it also has a palliative care unit at the Princess of Wales Community Hospital and offers help to patients in their own homes, along with support groups and help and support for families.

The shops generate around £50,000 profit for the charity each year.

The Primrose is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and is hoping to raise as much money as possible during the 12 months.

"If everyone in our catchment area gave as little as 25p, we would raise £40,000," added Lyn.

For more on the Primrose, Hospice, call the fund-raising department on 01527 889795 or visit www.primrosehospice.org.

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