Cancer charity staff 'devastated' by break-in

The charity said the office looked like tornado had hit it

Staff at a cancer charity have been left "devastated" by a break-in at their office.

Wigs, prostheses and fundraising donations were destroyed during the incident, Gateshead FACT said.

Founder Joanne Smith said it resulted in the charity having to suspend operations for the first time in its history.

Two men, aged 30 and 34, have been charged with burglary.

Ms Smith said she felt "numb and empty" and it was "heart-breaking" having to turn people, who needed help, away from the Wrekenton-based charity.

"I don't think the enormity of it has hit me," she said.

"It just looks like a tornado's gone through the building."

The charity said there was significant damage including furniture being broken

Three floors, including storage space, were damaged on Thursday evening, with doors "ripped off" and walls, furniture and laptops broken, Ms Smith said.

Some items would have to be thrown away because they were "contaminated" by blood, she added.

Donations for raffle prizes were also destroyed.

"What really hurt us was the damage to the items that directly support our service users, like wigs, prostheses and information leaflets," Ms Smith said.

"We've never had to stop delivering services in 16 years.

"Even in the pandemic we managed to keep going."

Det Con Craig Austin, of Northumbria Police, said such behaviour would not be "tolerated" and appealed for anyone who saw anything suspicious to get in touch.

The charity said it hoped to reopen on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old man, of no fixed address, was released on conditional bail after appearing at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court on Friday.

The 34-year-old, also of no fixed address, is due to appear before magistrates next month.