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Alan Barnes fund passes £200,000 as donations to the attacked pensioner continue to mount | Alan Barnes fund passes £200,000 as donations to the attacked pensioner continue to mount |
(35 minutes later) | |
A fund set up to raise money for a disabled pensioner who was mugged outside his home has raised more than £200,000 in three days. | A fund set up to raise money for a disabled pensioner who was mugged outside his home has raised more than £200,000 in three days. |
Alan Barnes, 67, broke his collarbone after he was mugged outside his own home in Gateshead while taking out his rubbish. | Alan Barnes, 67, broke his collarbone after he was mugged outside his own home in Gateshead while taking out his rubbish. |
Mr Barnes, who is visually impaired, was left terrified after the attack and refused to return to the house. | Mr Barnes, who is visually impaired, was left terrified after the attack and refused to return to the house. |
Katie Cutler, 21, who lives nearby, was so shocked by the news that she set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to help him find a new home. | Katie Cutler, 21, who lives nearby, was so shocked by the news that she set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to help him find a new home. |
The site aimed to raise £500 for Mr Barnes but donations have flooded in from all over the world and it has now far surpassed the original target. | The site aimed to raise £500 for Mr Barnes but donations have flooded in from all over the world and it has now far surpassed the original target. |
Pensioner Alan Barnes was mugged last week There have been over 15,500 donations to the page, and 22,000 social media shares: 20,000 Facebook likes and just over 2,000 Tweets. | |
Mr Barnes, who has lived with disabilities since birth, after his mother contracted German measles during pregnancy, told the BBC it was "just unbelievable". | Mr Barnes, who has lived with disabilities since birth, after his mother contracted German measles during pregnancy, told the BBC 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?" |
Ms Cutler, a beautician, told The Independent: “It doesn’t really feel real at the moment. I feel so overwhelmed, I have just been inundated with emails and messages - it hasn’t sunk in and I can’t believe how lovely people have been.” | Ms Cutler, a beautician, told The Independent: “It doesn’t really feel real at the moment. I feel so overwhelmed, I have just been inundated with emails and messages - it hasn’t sunk in and I can’t believe how lovely people have been.” |
Donors from all over the world, including South Africa, Canada, Holland, the USA, and New Zealand, have left messages of support for Mr Barnes. | Donors from all over the world, including South Africa, Canada, Holland, the USA, and New Zealand, have left messages of support for Mr Barnes. |
Emma Warwick wrote: “Wishing you a safe, secure future, one where you will never face fear again.” | Emma Warwick wrote: “Wishing you a safe, secure future, one where you will never face fear again.” |
Carolyn Kennedy said: “Please be reassured good people outweigh the bad.” | Carolyn Kennedy said: “Please be reassured good people outweigh the bad.” |
Amy Ryan wrote: “I hope you find a wonderful new home Mr Barnes and can have a very happy future.” | Amy Ryan wrote: “I hope you find a wonderful new home Mr Barnes and can have a very happy future.” |
There is also a lot of praise for Ms Cutler and her actions in setting up the fund. David Massey proclaimed: “Katie Cutler for Prime Minister.” | There is also a lot of praise for Ms Cutler and her actions in setting up the fund. David Massey proclaimed: “Katie Cutler for Prime Minister.” |
Nick Peck described Ms Cutler as a “credit to humanity”. | Nick Peck described Ms Cutler as a “credit to humanity”. |
He went on to say: “It's easy to read the news and be horrified and disillusioned, but you did something and it will make a difference, you really should feel so proud.” | He went on to say: “It's easy to read the news and be horrified and disillusioned, but you did something and it will make a difference, you really should feel so proud.” |
You can contribute to the Alan Barnes GoFundMe page here. | You can contribute to the Alan Barnes GoFundMe page here. |