BOLTON Wanderers fans have clubbed together on the internet to raise more than £1,000 for a children’s charity shop which was wrecked by burglars.

The store in Farnworth, which raises cash for Derian House Children’s Hospice in Chorley, was raided two weeks ago by burglars who stole Christmas toys and caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Now a group of football fans who chat on the Bolton Banter internet forum have decided to lend a helping hand after reading about the burglary on The Bolton News website.

The fans have so far raised about £1,100 and are still counting.

Brian Catterall, aged 45, a lifelong Wanderers fan who now lives in Berkshire, said the attack on the shop had touched everyone’s hearts.

He added: “A couple of the guys spotted the story on the internet and they just started talking about how shabby it was that somebody would do such a thing at this time of year. Someone said ‘why don’t we do something about it?’ — so we did.”

The campaign has since spread to other online forums such as Vital Football, and the fundraisers have even received donations from Aston Villa fans.

Sandra Roberts is the manager of the shop in Higher Market Street, Farnworth. She said: “I can’t believe what’s gone on since the break-in. The people of Bolton have been fantastic.

“I’ve had so many calls, and pensioners have been coming into the shop and saying ‘I’ve only got £2, will that help?’ “We were all devastated when it happened, but this just shows that there are more good people out there than bad.”

Anyone with any information about the burglary should call police on 0161 8725050 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.