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Alan Barnes: Disabled mugging victim fund reaches £62k in two days Alan Barnes: Disabled mugging victim fund reaches £80k in two days
(about 1 hour later)
More than £62,000 has been donated in two days to help a disabled pensioner who was mugged outside his home. More than £80,000 has been donated in two days to help a disabled pensioner who was mugged outside his home.
Alan Barnes, 67, was left too afraid to return to his home in Low Fell, Gateshead after the attack on Sunday.Alan Barnes, 67, was left too afraid to return to his home in Low Fell, Gateshead after the attack on Sunday.
Mr Barnes, who is just 4ft 6in tall and visually impaired, broke his collarbone when he was pushed to the ground. Mr Barnes, who is visually impaired, broke his collarbone when he was pushed to the ground.
Following reports of the attack, which police described as "disgraceful", the Help Alan Barnes online donation page was created on the Go Fund Me site.Following reports of the attack, which police described as "disgraceful", the Help Alan Barnes online donation page was created on the Go Fund Me site.
It was set up by beautician Katie Cutler, who wrote: "I was so upset that anyone could target a disabled pensioner and be so cruel. Beautician Katie Cutler, who set up the page, said it showed "there are so many lovely people out there".
"We can't take away what has happened but with a little donation we can make the future a prettier one and help towards the cost of his new home. Thank you all." "Not just people in the North East, but we've had people donating from Canada, Holland, down south, the USA, New Zealand.
'Over the moon' "This person that hurt Alan, is just a minority."
Her aim was to raise £500, but that was quickly passed and by 09:00 GMT on Saturday, it had reached £62,000, with thousands of people contributing. Mr Barnes said it was "just unbelievable".
Ms Cutler said: "I'm surprised at how many people have donated and there's even people who haven't given money but shared it on and spread the word and that's helped a lot too. "I've heard of fundraising for charities but I've only got a fractured collarbone, I didn't expect that sort of response," he said.
"It's lovely how something so negative can end so positively." "Thank you doesn't really seem to answer it, does it?"
Nadeem Inayat wrote on the donation page: "I was very upset to have read that such a defenceless and frail old man was left feeling afraid to go back to his home that for all intents and purposes should be his haven and source of safety. Ms Cutler's aim was to raise £500, but that was quickly passed and by 10:20 GMT on Saturday, it had reached £82,083, with more than 6,000 people contributing.
"I hope someone reads some of these comments to Alan and let him know that he is a very much loved man." Ms Cutler said she was "over the moon" and could not believe people's generosity.
Mr Barnes is a well-known figure in Low Fell and is renowned for being able to quickly calculate a person's exact age in days using their date of birth. There had also been offers of practical help from plumbers, electricians, bathroom and kitchen fitters, carpet layers and people donating furniture.
He has lived with disabilities from birth after his mother contracted German measles when she was pregnant. Mr Barnes has lived with disabilities from birth after his mother contracted German measles when she was pregnant.
Ms Cutler will meet Mr Barnes for the first time and will discuss what to do with the funds on Sunday. Ms Cutler will meet him for the first time and will discuss what to do with the funds on Sunday.