Bloomhill Cancer Care op shop allegedly broken into in Caloundra

Caloundra op shop volunteers returned from Christmas break to find their store was allegedly broken into, with $4500 worth of goods stolen.

Police are investigating the alleged theft of $4500 worth of goods at the Bloomhill Cancer Care Op Shop in Caloundra over the Christmas break.

Bloomhill‘s Frieda Pace said staff arrived on Wednesday morning to find the front door had been broken into.

Ms Pace said high quality jewellery, camera gear, and leather jackets were allegedly taken by the thieves.

She said they had been closed since Christmas Eve and believed the offenders broke in during that time.

Bloomhill Cancer Care Distribution Centre co-ordinator Glenn Batey said all the shop’s volunteers were “devastated”.

“We can’t believe someone would do this around Christmas time, to any charity let alone Bloomhill, which everyone knows is doing great things to help people with cancer,” Mr Batey said.

“We all know someone who has had cancer, and the festive period can be really challenging for them. This is such a low blow.”

Mr Batey said the op shops raise up to 75 per cent of Bloomhill’s annual income.

“Every dollar provides support to people with cancer, their loved ones and carers.

“The demand for help provided at the wellness centre in Buderim is growing every month, so it’s a real shame to have to cop this.

“We’ve increased security measures and jewellery will no longer be stored overnight.:

If anyone has any information please contact Policelink on 131 444.

To donate to their Christmas appeal following the break in, visit their website. 

“I can only hope the community helps donate to our Christmas Appeal so we can recover from this loss,” Mr Batey said.

“We had to close the shop for half a day and that forgone income is going to sting.”