HEARTLESS thieves have stolen toys meant for poorly youngsters in a supermarket's Christmas appeal.
Kind-hearted shoppers at the Iceland store, in Carlton Hill, have been donating festive gifts intended for youngsters on the children's ward at Queen's Medical Centre.
The store is amongst 11 branches that have collected donations to buy 10 televisions for the hospital, as well as dozens of toys.
Iceland workers will be presenting the gifts to children on the wards today. 11
But shocked staff at Carlton Hill noticed that some of the toys had gone missing from a collection bucket near the supermarket door, and said they even collared one woman leaving the store with a present.
She was given the opportunity to put it back and no further action was taken.
But they believe around five gifts have been snatched in recent weeks, and police are now investigating.
Bex Jarvis, the store's Talking Shop representative, said: "It's a bit sick in my opinion that anybody could come along and do that.
"I know times are hard but what about the kids in hospital? You just don't steal from those who need it more."
Ms Jarvis said among the items that went missing were Sindy doll hairspray, a nail kit, an xylophone and a Girl's World styling head.
She added that the toys were worth £50 to £60 and she had tended to the boxes every day, so was aware of exactly what was in them.
Ms Jarvis added that
although the store has CCTV it would be impossible to scour through hours and hours of footage for the culprits.
"The hospital know about it, and obviously people are appalled," she said.
Shoppers near the store spoke of their disgust at the allegations.
Catherine Sullings, a 42-year-old healthcare assistant and mum-of-two from Marmion estate in Carlton, said:
"What goes around comes around and one day they might be sick and need help."
And Georgia Owoade, 49, an accommodation officer and mother-of-three, also from Carlton, said: "I'm shocked, but I'm not surprised any more - the area's just going downhill."
A spokeswoman for Nottinghamshire Police confirmed the allegations were being investigated.
The spokeswoman added: "We were called around lunchtime on Wednesday by the Iceland store in Carlton Hill with a report that a number of toys for children had been stolen from collection boxes over a period of time."
Anyone with information regarding the incident is urged to call PC Sarah Murdoch on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
