Strangers from all over the world have come together to raise over £280,000 for a 67-year-old man, after he was attacked by thugs outside his home.
Alan Barnes, who has suffered from height and growth defects from birth, sustained a broken collarbone in the attack and was afraid to return to the property.
This led beautician Katie Cutler to launch an online funding page in the hopes of raising £500 towards finding new accommodation for Alan.
"After reading his article
, I was so upset that anyone could target a disabled pensioner and be so cruel. 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," she said.
The campaign soon took on a life of its own, attracting donations from all over Europe and has reached a total of £285,000, which will allow the pensioner to buy a new home.
Alan has since met Cutler and said he is overwhelmed by the response.
"I've heard of fundraising for charities but I've only got a fractured collarbone, I didn't expect that sort of response. Thank you doesn't really seem to answer it, does it?"
