CCTV captured this image of an intruder at a soft play centre on the edge of Wellington who took a children’s hospice charity box.

The culprit broke into Play Castle at Chelston Business park at 3.15am on Sunday after smashing the glass panel front door. Now Play Castle owners Aks and Carly Latifi are planning a fundraising event in aid of Children’s Hospice South West next month.

Polly Slocombe, Carly’s sister, speaking for the play centre, said the 54-second security camera footage had been posted on Facebook and has had more than 50,000 views and 800-plus shares. It is hoped someone will recognise the culprit.

She added: “The intruder looks like he’s looking for a way to get in behind the counter, then grabs the charity pot and checks the till. He jumps over the counter, enters the kitchen briefly, jumps back over the counter, then picks up whatever he used to break the door and runs off.”

Mr Latifi was alerted by a security company to say a motion alarm at his premises had gone off and found the damage when he arrived at 3.30am.

She said police hoped the culprit would have been captured on CCTV cameras elsewhere on the business park potentially providing clues as to his identity.

Polly added: “The charity box probably contained nothing more than £10 – it’s so sad that he’s run in and stolen a few coppers.”

Now Carly, with help from Anne-Louise Wells, is planning a fundraising event on Sunday, February 12, for Children’s Hospice South-West.

The Play Castle will be open from 10am-4pm and charge reduced entry with half of the fee going to the charity.

Polly added: “It is hoped to turn a negative into a positive. A couple of local businesses have already given money, and people have quickly come forward to offer raffle prizes and to make cakes to sell.

“There will also be someone doing face painting, nail art and henna hand painting, all sorts of arts and crafts. It is hoped to make a lot of money for the charity and if anyone else wants to get involved, the more the merrier.”

A Just Giving page was set up yesterday (Tuesday) which is on Facebook and will be shared via the Play Castle page or donations can be made directly through www.justgiving.com/fundraising/carly-latifi

Anyone with information about the break-in is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 – the crime reference number is 5217010010.