A charity says it is "shocked and appalled" after an 89-year-old volunteer was left shaken when her handbag containing her bank cards and house keys was stolen while working at the shop in Newtown.
The Powys Animal Welfare store in Market Street was targeted on Monday (September 30) which also involved £50 cash and keys to the shop being stolen during the distraction theft.
However, the volunteer, described by one of the charity's trustees as a “trooper", returned the following day to help at the shop.
The volunteer, who has worked with the charity for almost 20 years, wanted to thank everyone who helped her including the shops and businesses in Market Street, Barclays bank and Dyfed-Powys Police.
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Aldwyth Bates, Powys Animal Welfare trustee, said the charity wants people to be aware that shoplifting is happening in shops in the town.
"We know shoplifting is going on but to target charity shops is the lowest of the low, but we are easy targets," she said.
"Every penny is so important. All the money we raise pays for vet bills for people in Newtown and distribution of food. These people are taking away from people and pets in need.
"We're appalled by what's happened. We'd rather give then have it stolen.
"She's quite shook up, but she's gone into the shop again like a trooper. We're grateful to everybody who rallied around to help her. She is so loved by the customers that's why we're all quite distraught.
"It's not about the money, it's about the attitude that they're prepared to do this to an old lady.
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"She's gone in today to stick her routine so that she doesn't feel she's letting anyone down.
"It's heartbreaking. It's happening to us [charity shops] all of the time. We're just so upset.
"Customers need to be alert and aware it's happening and report it immediately to volunteers.”
Dyfed-Powys Police has been contacted for a response.
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