THIEVES have failed to ruin a hospice raffle.

Staff from MKM Building Supplies were devastated when thieves broke into their premises in Dragonville, Durham City, in June and stole £2,000-worth of raffle prizes and £500 in raffle ticket takings.

The prize draw was to be a fundraiser for the city’s St Cuthbert’s Hospice.

However, they refused to be defeated and went about collecting new prizes and selling more tickets.

The effort has raised £4,700 for the cause.

A company spokeswoman said everyone had rallied round to help out.

The winner of the first prize, a £600 Curry’s voucher, was Steve Cox, of Birtley Building.