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Alan Barnes: Fundraiser Katie Cutler meets mugging victim | Alan Barnes: Fundraiser Katie Cutler meets mugging victim |
(35 minutes later) | |
A woman who set up a fundraising page for a man who was mugged outside his home has met the victim as donations top £250,000. | |
Alan Barnes, who is visually impaired, was left too afraid to return to his home in Low Fell, Gateshead, after the attack on 25 January. | Alan Barnes, who is visually impaired, was left too afraid to return to his home in Low Fell, Gateshead, after the attack on 25 January. |
Mr Barnes, 67, broke his collarbone when he was pushed to the ground. | Mr Barnes, 67, broke his collarbone when he was pushed to the ground. |
Following reports of the attack, Katie Cutler set up the Help Alan Barnes online donation page on Go Fund Me. | Following reports of the attack, Katie Cutler set up the Help Alan Barnes online donation page on Go Fund Me. |
During the meeting at Mr Barnes's sister's house, Ms Cutler presented him with chocolates and a card, and he told her she would be a friend for life. | During the meeting at Mr Barnes's sister's house, Ms Cutler presented him with chocolates and a card, and he told her she would be a friend for life. |
'Lovely people' | 'Lovely people' |
When she set up the page, Ms Cutler's aim was to raise £500 but that was quickly passed and by noon on Saturday it had reached £100,000. | When she set up the page, Ms Cutler's aim was to raise £500 but that was quickly passed and by noon on Saturday it had reached £100,000. |
The total passed £250,000 shortly after 20:00 GMT on Sunday, by which time more than 19,000 donations had been made. | |
The donations have come in from the UK, Canada, Holland and many other places around the world, with many praising Ms Cutler for setting up the page. | The donations have come in from the UK, Canada, Holland and many other places around the world, with many praising Ms Cutler for setting up the page. |
Ms Cutler, a beautician, said it showed "there are so many lovely people out there". | Ms Cutler, a beautician, said it showed "there are so many lovely people out there". |
"This person that hurt Alan is just a minority." | "This person that hurt Alan is just a minority." |
Trust fund | Trust fund |
Mr Barnes, who has lived with disabilities from birth after his mother contracted German measles when she was pregnant, said it was "just unbelievable". | Mr Barnes, who has lived with disabilities from birth after his mother contracted German measles when she was pregnant, said it was "just unbelievable". |
"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. | "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. |
"Thank you doesn't really seem to answer it, does it?" | "Thank you doesn't really seem to answer it, does it?" |
Stephen, who donated £5, said: "So sorry this has happened to you dear friend, I know it's not a lot, but hope it goes a long way." | Stephen, who donated £5, said: "So sorry this has happened to you dear friend, I know it's not a lot, but hope it goes a long way." |
Rupert wrote: "There are bad people in this world, people that wouldn't think twice of abusing a vulnerable man. | Rupert wrote: "There are bad people in this world, people that wouldn't think twice of abusing a vulnerable man. |
"But as this shows, those people are engulfed by good, caring and loving people that stand against these morals." | "But as this shows, those people are engulfed by good, caring and loving people that stand against these morals." |
There have also been offers of practical help from plumbers, electricians, bathroom and kitchen fitters, carpet layers and people donating furniture, Ms Cutler said. | There have also been offers of practical help from plumbers, electricians, bathroom and kitchen fitters, carpet layers and people donating furniture, Ms Cutler said. |
She also wrote on the fundraising site that businesses and schools had told her they were holding fundraising events for Mr Barnes. | She also wrote on the fundraising site that businesses and schools had told her they were holding fundraising events for Mr Barnes. |
Mr Barnes's family said that the money would go into a trust fund for him. | Mr Barnes's family said that the money would go into a trust fund for him. |