FUNDRAISERS are urging a thief who stole a replica of Princess Diana’s engagement ring at a charity event to search their conscience.

Organisers of the coffee morning held in Dorchester in aid of Weldmar Hospicecare Trust have described the actions of whoever took the ring as ‘despicable’.

They are now calling for the person responsible to give it back by slipping it through the letter box of the charity’s shop in Trinity Street.

The ring, which was donated by Weldmar Hospicecare Trust volunteer Gladys Gundry, pictured right with the empty box, was taken after it went on display during a silent auction at the United Church in Charles Street.

Mrs Gundry, 74, said she bought the ring from a jewellers in Dorchester for around £40 soon after Princess Diana got engaged in 1981.

She said: “I used to always wear it when I first had it but then I put it away in a box and I thought, why don’t I donate it?

“They decided to put the ring on a silent auction because it was a little bit special but the next thing we knew it was gone. I was very upset.”

The event organiser, Dot Hand, said “I am sure that person, when they stop and think about it, would think they shouldn’t have done that.

“It would really make my day if someone handed it in.”

Mrs Hand added: “Something like this has never happened before.

“Everyone was saying, ‘I can’t believe it’.

“It was a good day overall – everyone was in high spirits but then this put a cloud over it for a while.”

More than 200 people attended the fundraiser that raised £1,145 for the cancer charity that provides care for Dorset people with cancer and other life-limiting diseases.

Caroline Nickinson, director of fundraising at the charity, said she would also urge who ever took the ring to ‘search their conscience’.