Hundreds of pounds of charity money raised in memory of a baby who died last year has been stolen from a children's boutique in Norwich.

Eastern Daily Press: Police survey the damage after the burglary at Coccolino where a charity box was stolen. Picture: Courtesy of CoccolinoPolice survey the damage after the burglary at Coccolino where a charity box was stolen. Picture: Courtesy of Coccolino (Image: SUPPLIED)

The owner of city centre shop Coccolino Childrenswear, in Timberhill, has been left 'devastated' after heartless thieves broke in and stole £200 raised from the sale of a charity calendar.

The break-in happened during storm Doris last week, at about 11.20pm on February 23, when a glass door panel was smashed by thieves who gained entry and caused damaged to stock before stealing the till.

Owner Dorothy Thompson said: 'Normally I never leave that in the till overnight so I was really annoyed. The plan was to put it in the bank that day but I was so concerned with the storm I was distracted from doing it - this was money from our charity calendar.

'A small business takes up a lot of time anyway and now I've been spending my time chasing glazers and getting quotes to get the damaged fixed. I'm just thankful no one was hurt.'

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She added that she would be putting more security measures in place.

The charity calendar was produced to raise money for East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) nook appeal. The idea for it came about when one of the shop's customers gave birth prematurely at 24 weeks pregnant.

Sadly baby Kai died last year and there is a photographic tribute to the special tot inside the calendar's cover.

The remaining calendars are now being sold for £3 each and will continue to raise money for the EACH nook appeal until the last ones are sold.

The nook appeal was launched two years ago to raise £10m to transform children's palliative service, including a new purpose-built facility in a five-acre woodland site at Framingham Earl.

It will replace the Quidenham hospice, which has been EACH's home for almost 25 years.

- To buy a charity calendar pop into the store or visit the website www.coccolinonorwich.co.uk.

- Norfolk police are appealing for witnesses and anyone who may have witnessed the break-in should contact them with information on 101.