BOXES of goods meant for a Keighley charity were ransacked and their contents stolen before volunteers could even assess the donation’s value.

The items were given to Keighley Cat Care, and were being temporarily stored at a property in Keighley. Charity volunteer Trish Armistead said the building was raided on the evening of August 3, and the goods stolen before she and her colleagues could sort through them.

She said: “Because there were so many items we’d been offered storage by a supporter.

“We were feeling excited that we had so many lovely things that would swell our fundraising. However, the excitement faded the following morning, when we found the storage area had been ransacked by thieves.

“It was an awful feeling because we’d had such a great week, only for this to happen.”

Anyone wanting to help make up for the losses can donate at the charity shop in Cavendish Retail Park. It opens on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 10am to 4pm. People can also call 077385 28004, or donate through the charity pages on Virgin Money Giving or PayPal.

A police spokesman confirmed officers investigated a burglary from an outbuilding between 10pm on August 3 and 7am on August 4. He added:“This crime has been filed pending further information.”