THE FOUNDER of a charity has spoken of her distress after its headquarters was broken into.

The HoneyRose Foundation charity, which aims to grant the wishes of people with life limiting and terminal illnesses, moved into its new base on Ormskirk Street last year.

Founder Lynn Duffy set up the organisation 11 years ago in her box bedroom near Sherdley Park. She has been left devastated after the break-in which has seen considerable damage inflicted and items stolen including five laptops.

“We closed on Saturday at five so it has happened either Saturday or Sunday,” said Lynn.

“We think they have come in through the fire escape. They have come in and wrecked the drawers and have been in my room and others.

“They have put a great big hole in the room where we have our raffle prizes and another big hole in our new function room and have been behind the bar and through the ticker box. “We’ve got metal cupboards which they have opened and are broken and can’t use them.

“They’ve taken five laptops and some alcohol and six bottles of whiskey and we don’t know what else. “It’s devastating. I haven’t stopped shaking and crying since, we have worked our socks off to get this charity going.”

HoneyRose Foundation trustee Cllr Terry Shields added: “I’m absolutely amazed that anyone could do this to a charity. How people can do that to an organisation like this is astonishing. “All the money the charity has had has gone into this building and for someone to wreck it is just unbelievable.

“I’m asking the community to help us and if they see people selling stuff to call the police. We’re also asking the business community to help us.”

A spokesman from Merseyside Police said: “We were called just after 9 am to a report that the HoneyRose Foundation has been subject to a burglary between 5pm on Saturday and 9am on Monday.

“Patrols attended the scene and the investigation is underway.”

A Just Giving page has been set up to help which can be viewed on: www.justgiving.com/Honey-Rose