A PENSIONER who has dedicated 19 years to raising money for charity is angry with thieves who stole a suitcase of tombola prizes from a church.

Freda Marchant said she was so sickened by the theft from Willington Methodist Church that she considered giving up her work for good causes.

She said: "I had spent hours wrapping up these little gifts for a tombola. When I realised they had gone, I cried. These people are lowlife. How can anybody steal from a charity?"

She had taken her gifts to the church last Wednesday, where she had organised a toy fair, but could not carry them up the stairs.

She said: "I left them there on trust because I could not believe that anyone would steal from a church.

"When I returned they had gone. This has really sickened me. All I can say is that I hope they have a conscience but I don't suppose they do. I did not bother informing the police because it was only a small theft and I don't think they could have done anything.

"They are not of any use to whoever took them, but they would have raised £40 for charity."

Mrs Marchant said she got her inspiration for fundraising from the late Methodist preacher Walter Wilkinson, of Spennymoor, and enjoyed raising money for his homeless charity Helpline.

The 74-year-old runs the Thrift Shop in the methodist church in Lydia Street, Willington, and is well-known for collecting clothing and other unwanted items to boost funds.

She said: "I raise money for the Methodist Church, Helpline and any other charity that needs it such as the tsunami appeal."

Willington County councillor Brian Myers said: "People like Freda should be encouraged to raise money for charity and not be treated like this."