CALLOUS thieves swiped donations for a Christmas raffle organised in memory of a woman who died of cancer.

Staff at Goulds Garden Centre in Weymouth were left ‘on the verge of tears’ by the incident, which happened on the afternoon of Wednesday, December 10.

And these CCTV images have been released in a bid to catch those responsible.

The raffle is due to be drawn on Christmas Eve in memory of beloved colleague Lyn Weaver, who passed away in October following a battle with breast cancer.

Staff had worked hard to secure donations from suppliers and were hoping to raise as much money as possible for Weldmar Hospice and Mosaic in her memory.

But they were left very upset when items- including a giant teddy bear- were swiped.

The prizes were next to a stand explaining clearly the meaning behind the raffle, store director Anthony Gould said.

“This is a totally despicable crime, and one that has had a real impact on the staff working at the garden centre,” he said.

“Lyn’s death is still very raw and it has upset everyone to think that there are people in our community that could sink to such deprived lows as to steal from a raffle set up to support a cancer hospice and a children’s bereavement charity.

“The large sign on display with the raffle prizes made it very clear that these were items donated and on display in support of the charities mentioned so the individuals would have been in no doubt that they were stealing from a charity which makes this theft all the more abhorrent.

“We have very clear video footage of the theft taking place so we are publishing these still images from our CCTV system in the hope that someone will recognise these thieves and pass their details onto the police.

“For very obvious reasons, everyone at the garden centre and those involved with the chosen charities would love to see these individuals brought to justice.”

It is believed that those seen in the images were working as a gang of four and a female distracted staff whilst three men plundered the goods.

Mr Gould appealed for anyone with information to call the police.

“The teddy bear is very distinctive; anyone offered this item would recognise it.

“If you do have any information, please come forward.”

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: "It's thought that four people were involved in the incident - three men and a woman. They entered the shop via the main entrance, walked around the site and made off without making payment.

"It is thought they took items from the store as well as items from a charity raffle, including the large teddy.

"We are appealing for anyone with information to come forward."

Witnesses should call 101 quoting 10:270.