At some time between Sunday afternoon, 8 December, and Tuesday morning, 10 December, Cambridge Road Estates (CREst) community group's storage shed in at Queen Mary Hall was broken into.

It has been reported that the donations the group regularly collects from Sainsbury's were taken as well as the special items it had be saving up for Christmas gifts for its guests.

Cambridge Road Estates community group's storage shed at Queen Mary Hall was broken into (Credit: Camnridge Road Estates community group)

Speaking about the breaking in CREst community group leader Jill Preston told Kingston Nub: "As you can imagine, the thefts have had a profound effect on our Christmas plans.

"From summer onwards we put aside donations that are suitable for both children and our adult guests.

"These are distributed at either at the Christmas Panto on 23 December in Archway or at our Christmas Lunch on 17 December, both of which tend to see 100 - 150 people attend. It is not much - just something's for people on their own or families in need."

She continued: "In addition, we are very lucky to partner with Sainsbury's basin whose customers are very kind at donating basic items to help our community members who are struggling. 

"These donations are collected by our volunteers several times a week and stored in the shed that was burgled. These donations are offered every week to residents.

"These, as well as the 'gifts/ treats' that we set aside, are what have been stolen.

"Our local community are very supportive, and many have responded with kindness and generosity." 

CREst community group collects donations from Sainsbury's every week and stores them in the shed (Credit: Cambridge Road Estates community group)

To help get back what was stolen, CREst community group has asked its supporters to donate items to its Just Giving page.

 The page also has a list of urgently needed items so that supporters know what kind of items to donate.

Jill said that the break in was reported to the police, but the police have not been helpful.

While the shed is located at Queen Mary Hall, CREst community group currently operates at St Peter's Church in Norbiton following a fire at the hall.