MORE than eight Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice charity collection tins have been stolen from various locations in and around Farnham.

Seven were found empty, discarded in an alleyway in the town. Labels had been removed in an effort to disguise the source, but a fragment left on one of the tins was traced to Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice.

One of the locations targeted was the Farnham Centre for Health, and it is estimated that this tin alone contained more than £100 from general donations and counter-top sales. The charity is waiting for a report from other locations to identify which other ones are missing.

Community fundraiser Georgi Robinson-Welch said: "It is very shocking that someone would steal money destined for a charity. Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice only receives 12 per cent funding from the NHS so we rely heavily on our local community to help us raise £15,000 a day, enabling us to provide our important care at a critical time in people's lives.

"Collection tins and counter-top sales significantly contribute to our fundraising efforts, and we are saddened that the generosity of local people has been exploited by callous thieves."