A MENTAL health charity has been left devastated after thieves stole almost £1,000 from their fundraising stall.

The theft happened at Whitby Goth Weekend, between 5pm and 5.30pm on Saturday, April 23, from a charity stall run by Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale Mind (SWR Mind).

The stall - which is held in Whitby Pavilion every Goth Weekend - raises funds for the charity by selling clothes.

The money was raised over two days from the sale of clothing, including many donated goth items such as corsets and dresses. It was contained in a black bum bag with a silver clasp that was attached to the back of a chair.

Sarah Skidmore from Whitby, who ran the stall and runs a mental health support group in the town on behalf of the charity, said she is ‘devastated’ by the theft.

She said: "I’m devastated and in tears. How could anyone steal from a charity? It’s sick. Whoever has done this is the lowest of the low.

"We were so busy running the stall we were unaware of seeing anything suspicious.

"We’d like to thank everyone who came this year and made a donation. We are just praying someone will come forward and hand the money in anonymously."

The stall was held on the Friday and Saturday between 8.30am and 5pm next to the bar in the café seating area, and was popular throughout the two days.

SWR Mind was saved from closure last year and runs a host of projects across the region.

Sophie Hall, chief executive at the charity, added: "We are absolutely gutted. If anyone has seen anything at all that might help the police investigation please contact them.

"The money that was taken would have been used to help people in the Whitby area which makes this all the more upsetting."

The area where the stall was held in Whitby Pavilion is not covered by CCTV footage.

Anyone who has information about the theft is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 111 quoting reference number NYP 2404016-00226.

If anyone would like to make a donation to the charity they can do so by calling (01723) 588008, visiting swrmind.org.uk or justgiving.com/swrmind.