Staff at the Children's Trust in Stoneleigh have expressed their anger after it was targeted by thieves last week (May 22).

Located in Stoneleigh High Street, the charity shop provides funds for the intensive rehabilitation for children with severe brain injuries, many of whom have been involved in accidents or survived serious illness.

Sales from the bric-a-brac at the shop help children living with such conditions who are trying to relearn key skills such as walking again or talking.

In an open letter seen by the Surrey Comet and reproduced in full below, the charity shop staff and volunteers expressed their outrage and sadness after clothing, books and electronic goods among other items were looted from the store.

To the people that stole from children,

We don’t know who you are or what you might be going through, but we are shocked that you would steal from the children that we help.

The clothing, books, electricals and other items you stole were donated with kindness from our community. You stole from all of us.

The Children’s Trust relies on these donations. The money we would have raised from the items you stole would have funded essential equipment to help a child recovering from an accident stand again for the first time, or fund a music therapy session to help a child who may not be able to speak try to find their voice again.

What you have done has consequences for those we help.

Despite your actions, The Children’s Trust staff and volunteers, and the fantastic community in Stoneleigh, will continue doing our part to ensure all children with brain injury live the best lives possible.

The staff and volunteers at The Children’s Trust shop, Stoneleigh

According to the Children's Trust, every year 40,000 children in the UK are left with a brain injury as a result of an accident or illness and many have to live with on-going, long-term difficulties.

The incident accounted above was reported to the police, who are appealing for any information.

You can contact Surrey Police on 101 (999 in an emergency) or online quoting reference PR/45190053497.