Thieves who targeted a charity car boot sale stealing nearly £1,000 have been branded "despicable" by organisers. A gang of four women stole about £800 from a Christian Aid car boot sale held at St Mary’s Church in Wimbledon on May 11.

Juliet Boyd, 72 of Wimbledon, has been running the annual car boot since 1990 and has been a volunteer for Christian Aid for the last 40 years.

She was just about to put the money in the glove compartment of her car when a group of women approached her.

She said: "I was completely unaware until after it happened.

"She bought a rug and my handbag was gone.

"It was so professional.

"I was so naïve to be distracted but it’s easily done.

"I was just going to put it in the car.

"She must have been watching me."

Ms Boyd said she was "devastated" by the theft and condemned the gang of women for stealing from "the poorest of the poor".

So horrified were stall holders and members of the church that they clubbed together to donate more than £2,000 to replace the stolen funds.

She said: "It is wonderful and absolutely amazing that so many people have been so generous as a result."

"We are incredibly grateful.

"Clearly God works in mysterious ways."

To donate visit caweek.org/envelope, or email julietboyd@doctors.org.uk