Strangers from around the world have raised nearly £330,000 for a visually impaired pensioner who was mugged outside his home.
Alan Barnes, 67, was left with a broken collarbone and was to afraid to return to his house after the attack on 25 January.
Katie Cutler set up a fundraising page after hearing of the attack with the aim of raising £500.
Alan Barnes
Word quickly spread donations started coming in from as far as Holland and Canada. The original target was quickly surpassed and currently stands at £217,307 from 16,803 people.
The page reads...
On Sunday night 67 year old Alan Barnes was attacked & knocked to the ground outside his home, on Hillside Place in Low Fell. Alan was born with a number of defects including sight & growth problems after his mother contracted German Measles during Pregnancy. Having been knocked to the ground by the thug who attempted to rob him, he suffered a broken collar bone and has been left extremely distressed. Alan is too frightened to return to his home so with the help of his sister he's looking for new accommodation. I'm trying to raise £500 for Alan which will help him towards the cost of relocating in order for him to feel safe & carry on with his life. After reading his article on the Mirror.co.uk I was so upset that anyone could target a disabled pensioner & be so cruel. We can't take away what has happened but with a little donation we can make the future a prettier one & help towards the cost of his new home. Thank you all.
Barnes told the BBC: "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?"
On Sunday evening, Barnes had the chance to thank Cutler personally when she arranged a visit.
During the get-together at Barnes' sister's house, Cutler presented him with chocolates and a card, and he told the 21-year-old she would be a friend for life.
"This person that hurt Alan is just a minority."
The perpetrators of the attack have yet to be caught.
Anyone with information should call police on 101, ext 69191, quoting 1180 25/01/15 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111