Thieves smashed their way into a scrap car dealership in Wombourne, South Staffordshire, and stole cash, including £11,000 meant for a children’s charity.

Raiders are believed to have chiselled their way into a safe at Hewitt International before snatching takings and and the charity cash.

It had been raised by staff members at a fundraising bonfire event in November and was due to be handed over to Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity and Mary Stevens Hospice in Stourbridge next month.

The culprits also took thousands of pounds in takings from the safe, as well as two laptops and five digital cameras.

Owner Adam Hewitt said today he was devastated by the break-in.

The 47-year-old said: “I feel sick that the charity money has been taken.

“We held a bonfire last year and raised all that money. We were due to hand it over to the two charities next month.

“The money was in an envelope marked ‘charity money’. These people have no heart.”

The burglars broke into the Bridgnorth Road premises through a patio door and ransacked the office some time during Wednesday night into the early hours of Thursday. They also ripped CCTV cameras off the walls.

The scene of devastation was discovered by a worker on Thursday morning.

“They must have spent a few hours breaking into the safe,” Mr Hewitt said.

“They must have used a chisel and hammer.”

The firm is offering a substantial reward for information leading to the conviction of the those responsible. Staffordshire Police spokeswoman Faye Casey confirmed the burglary was being investigated.

She said: “We were called following reports of a burglary. The offenders had broken into the premises and searched through all the rooms.

“They forced open a safe and stole a large quantity of cash.”

Anyone with information should call the force on 0300 123 4455.

By Laura Blyth