A REDDITCH shop owner has been left stunned after thieves stole a donation box full of cash destined for Ukrainian refugees.
The donation box, at Redditch Craft Bakery in Evesham Walk, had an estimated £120 inside when it was taken on Tuesday afternoon, August 23, at around 3.10pm.
Piotr Galas, who owns the bakery shop, said: “I am really frustrated. I am not feeling well inside. I am just like, why? It is a charity box. I would understand if it was my phone or my keys, but it is for charity. It is for other people.”
Security cameras show two women with a pushchair taking the box while a staff member was behind the counter busy serving someone else.
Piotr said his shop assistant was distraught at what had happened.
He added: “I was just reassuring her that we have CCTV cameras and we will find the ladies who did this.”
Poland has been a popular choice for refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine and Redditch’s Polish community has been at the forefront of raising money to help those escaping the conflict.
In response the Redditch community has poured in donations leading to truckloads of vital supplies leaving the town for Poland and Romania.
Redditch Craft Bakery has played its part too, with the business raising £6,500 since the war started.
Back in March Piotr hit the headlines with his great doughnut sale, with every penny raised going to help refugees fleeing the conflict.
The initiative proved so popular there were queues snaking away outside the shop and he’d sold out within two hours of opening.
One lady donated £1,000 for one doughnut.
In all Piotr raised £4,700 and the donations have kept rolling in.
Wednesday, August 24 this week was Ukrainian Independence Day and he is determined to keep fundraising for the country, however he will be making sure the donation box is securely locked in place to prevent any more thefts.
West Mercia Police are investigating the incident.
