Bosses at St Clare's Hospice Shop in Park Avenue, Cleadon Park, South Shields, say in the latest attack, £40 worth of copper piping that was stolen is costing more than £600 to replace.

The theft of essential pipe work left the building without a water supply.

Using the charity's hard-earned cash to pay for the damage has forced shop volunteers to consider whether or not to continue fundraising efforts at the premises.

Shop manager John Ainsley said: "This is an absolute despicable thing to do, I don't know how they have the conscience to do such things.

"The plumber who came to look at the damage said they would have only got about £40 for the scrap metal.

"But as usual we're left to pick up the pieces, sort out the damage and pay for repairs. It's not fair to the staff who work here for free."

It's believed thieves broke into the loft of an adjoining empty property and made their way through to the store via the roof.

Staff raised the alarm early last Wednesday morning, when they realised they no longer had running water on the premises.

The shop – which has been open for 20 years – is the oldest of nine in the borough that helps to raise the £250,000 needed annually to keep Jarrow-based St Clare's Hospice open.

It's estimated it generates about £20,000 each year towards the running costs.

However, it's not the first time the store, which sells donated clothes and goods, has been targeted.

Barbara Crawford, who has worked as a volunteer for 15 years, said: "There has been several incidents in the last year that have made us close.

"It's mainly kids up to mischief, breaking windows and making the place a mess.

"Once yobs broke in and set off all the fire extinguishers which left a fine coating of dust everywhere.

"It took us more than a week to clean up all the mess, and the longer we're closed the less money we raise for the hospice."

But the theft of the piping almost closed the shop for good.

As part of the regeneration partnership in Cleadon Park, the small row of shops on the street will be knocked down in about two years' time.

David Hall, chief executive of the charity, said: "The question we had to ask is whether it will be beneficial to open up if this happens again.

"We were always aware that we would have to move out of the premises but now it could be a case of sooner rather than later."

Mrs Crawford, from Cleadon Village, said: "We're all very upset about what's happened. Let's hope that someday the thieves don't need the care and support of the hospice."

Neighbourhood inspector Peter Sutton added: "It's a sad fact that with the reduction in burglaries helped by target hardening and the Safer South Tyneside partnership working, the more vulnerable premises like charity shops are seen as targets by criminals.

"Unfortunately these people don't see that these shops are a valuable asset to the community and that it is those who are less fortunate who are the real victims."

Police are investigating the incident anyone with any information should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.