STAFF at a Wirral social club were left heartbroken after thieves stole thousands of pounds raised in memory of a young mum.

Alerted to Poulton Victoria Sports and Social Club in Wallasey by a fire alarm on Monday morning, they found the strong room containing the takings had been broken into.

A fruit machine had also been hacked into and tills forced open.

It is believed the gang had entered through fire exit doors near the car park.

But the most shocking discovery was that around £5,000 that had been raised for the young children of Rachael Drinkwater had been stolen.

Wirral Globe:

Picture shows destruction caused by raiders

The 33-year-old (pictured below), from Bidston, died at Arrowe Park hospital in June, days after being admitted with stomach pains and high blood pressure.

Wirral Globe:

Since the tragedy, the community has rallied round to support her three children, Jack, aged 12, Chloe, 14, and Abbie, 16.

A charity night was held at the club on Friday which raised around £5,000.

Rachael worked behind the bar and eldest daughter Abbie now works as a glass collector.

Club secretary Lindsey Evans told the Globe: "When we arrived, we found the strong-room had been trashed.

"This is where we keep all our cash, including the floats, change and the money which had been raised, which was in collection buckets.

Wirral Globe:

"It is disgusting, absolutely devastating. Can’t believe people can be so heartless.

"We have video of one of them tampering with our security earlier in the evening, and during the break-in itself they ripped out the CCTV recorder without realising there were others on the premises."

Around 250 people attended Rachael’s funeral at Our Lady and St John Roman Catholic Church in Birkenhead.

As well as working at the Poulton Victoria club, Rachael was also a dinner lady at Holy Cross Primary School in Bidston, where a memorial bench sits in her memory.

After her death a fundraising page was set up to raise money for her children.

Paying tribute to Rachael, Lindsey continued: "She was a great friend, and I was the last person with her when she died, so this has hit me particularly hard.

"If you needed assistance, she would do anything to try to help.

"Rachael helped in the kitchen and behind the bar.

"She loved being here and was part of the club, and after her death this is where we held a wake for her.

"We are just like a big family here and I want those responsible caught."

Merseyside Police confirmed crime scene investigators have attended and the club is being forensically examined.

Anyone with information about the incident should contact police on the 101 number or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.