GLASGOW is rallying round to support a refugee charity targeted by a heartless thief.

As told in last night's Evening Times, an opportunistic robber lifted equipment from Refuweegee's base in The Briggait.

But now a fundraising page has been set up to allow people to help replace the stolen items.

Selina Hales, Founder and Director of the charity, said: "In the line of work we do, losing an iPad is quite small compared to what others have lost and we have to keep reminding ourselves of that.

"We feel violated that someone has come in here and helped themselves.

"If we have donations to the fundraising page then we can put those to really good use."

Volunteers had been working to help load a van of donations when the thief struck.

Selina, who was shortlisted as an Evening Times Scotswoman of the Year and is a Community Champion winner, said: "My colleague Hannah had taken our volunteers to show them where the donations were being picked up from as we had an event on.

"She's pulled the office door over behind her and gone out, as we always do.

"While she was downstairs showing the volunteers where to go, someone has gone into the office and helped themselves.

"It looks like someone has just come in and swiped everything off the front desk.

"You just don't think you're at risk because there is a secure entrance to the building but now we're thinking we'll have to lock up every time we go to the bathroom or pop out for a moment."

The thief stole an iPad, the iPad keyboard, chargers and a staff member's purse on Tuesday afternoon.

The iPad is engraved with the charity's name and so should be easily identifiable if anyone is offered it.

It was used to let people contact their families on social media and to search for jobs, so that is a facility the charity will not be able to offer until the tablet is replaced.

Selina said: "Hannah is worried about a spreadsheet she had recently completed for a buggy donation we had.

"I think that says a lot about the type of wonderful people we have working here that her first thought was not about her purse being stolen but that people will now face a delay in receiving their buggy because the list is gone.

"We have had so many messages of support, though, that I still believe in the positive power of people."

To donate see mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/refuweegee