"Selfish" thieves have broken in to a charity and stolen presents set for children of families in need.  

Home Start in Western Road, Colliers Wood, has supported families in need since 1993 and will celebrate its 20th anniversary next year.

But workers have been left shattered after thieves broke in on the evening of Tuesday, December 11, and stole 71 carefully wrapped presents collected after months of hard work by volunteers.  

Barbara Cluer, director of Home Start Merton, said she felt "numb" after arriving on Wednesday morning and finding the headquarters at Weston Road in Colliers Wood trashed.

The families were due to receive their presents that same morning at a Christmas party organised by the charity.

She said: "The room has been trashed.

"By the door we had two black sacks that had rubbish in them and they have chucked the rubbished all over the floor to empty the bags to put the presents in.

"We have had volunteers here all week with my staff all day wrapping and getting these presents ready and checking them off my list.

"There are still some presents here but nobody could have them at the party today."

The callous thieves even helped themselves to sandwiches and food prepared for the party. 

With the families due to arrive just hours after the discovery, volunteers at the charity rallied to make the best of the day by ordering takeaway pizza for the families.

Mrs Cluer said: "We had a party planned so we had to do something to make sure that happened.

"My first thought was for the families so we came up with the best rescue that we could."

The presents had been donated by the community through Kings College School in Wimbledon and the Wimbledon Guild.

Despite the presents being stolen so close to Christmas, Mrs Cluer has said all the families will still receive presents.

She said: "We are determined that no family or child will go without their Home-Start present so we are now concentrating on replacing each and every one of them so that our families will have a good Christmas despite the selfish act of those who committed this sickening crime of stealing from charity at this time of year.  

"We have been astounded by the amazing response of the general public. 

"We have received phone calls and emails from people offering and delivering replacement presents reminding us that there are kind and generous people out there after all."

Councillor Miles Windsor said: "I am horrified that someone should commit such a heartless crime - stealing from underprivileged children in the run up to Christmas.

"It's disgusting.

"If anybody has any information about this crime, I hope that they show the humanity that was so clearly lacking in the perpetrator and contact the police."

If you would like to help please drop any toys or gifts to the charities offices at 227 Weston Road, Colliers Wood, SW19 2QD between 9 to 5pm Monday to Friday.

All donations need to be received by 3pm on Tuesday, December 18.

To make a financial donation visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com and search Home Start Merton.

Anyone with information on the theft should call Merton Police on 101 or Crime stoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.