For most people nothing good could come from thieves stealing money from a charity – but Jasmin Gupta is able to celebrate a silver lining after receiving £15,000 in donations in the wake of the shocking theft.

The Comet: Jasmin Gupta by the door that was smashed in by the robbers.Jasmin Gupta by the door that was smashed in by the robbers. (Image: Archant)

Cancer Hair Care founder Jasmin went to work five weeks ago to find that thieves had smashed their way into her office in Stevenage Old Town and grabbed a haul worth £5,000.

But after a social media appeal and stories in the Comet, generous donors have given the charity a boost.

Jasmin said this week: “In a way it has been a really positive experience, we have raised about £15,000 and it just keeps getting better.

“Before the break-in we were struggling like a lot of charities are at the moment, but the appeal has really helped raise our profile and I think we will have enough money to get us through to the end of the year now.”

Cancer Hair Care, in Middle Row, specialises in helping women at all stages of cancer treatment.

Jasmin says the police have told her they are no closer to tracking down the culprits, but she is not interested in holding a grudge.

She said: “I think a lot of people understand cancer, but they don’t understand the motives or situations of people who would need to steal from a charity. In a way I feel sorry for them.

“It has been a sad situation but, weirdly, it has been a really good thing for us.”