A homeless charity that launched an online appeal after money was stolen from its shop has described the response as heartwarming.

Shrewsbury Ark said a thief posing as a customer last Thursday distracted staff before helping himself to the money in the till.

It said people responded by donating £500, more than the amount taken, and by dropping in with messages of encouragement and support.

Kim Tunbridge, Ark’s fundraising and community lead, said: “We have genuinely had our faith in human nature restored.”

The charity said the theft had been reported to the police and other charity shops had been warned.

Ark’s chair Emily Bell said: “The money stolen has been taken from the most vulnerable people in our community – to target a shop supporting the homeless people living in Shropshire is incredibly cruel.”