Big-hearted Thanet people have rallied to help a Margate nan-of-ten who lost £300 saved for her grandchildren’s Christmas presents.
Betty Hodges, 62, took the Thanet Loop from Margate to Westwood Cross last weekend to buy gifts for the grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
But devastated Betty left her purse, containing the £300, on the bus.
Her son Luke Harris appealed on facebook for anyone who picked it up to hand it in but there was no sign of the purse.
Fundraiser
In response Newington primary dinner lady Kim Duffy set up a crowdfunder with a £300 target to replace the lost money.
She said: “If the lady gets her purse and contents returned we can donate any money given to a local charity. Any funds above the £300 will also go to charity. This is about our community spirit at Christmas.”
In less than 24 hours the money had been raised by generous Thanet people.
‘Delighted’
Today (November 22) Ramsgate nan-of-three Kim handed the cash over to Betty. An extra £8 from the fundraiser will be donated to another justgiving page for a Newington pupil who has suffered a family loss.
Delighted Betty said: “When I heard I just cried. I couldn’t believe people had done it. I want to say a massive thanks to everybody who contributed. I thought I’d lost it and that was it, it was gone.”
Kim said that as a nan herself she felt she wanted to help. She added: “I’m a Londoner and this is just what we do, we look out for each other.
“I would have handed it in but I’d like to think that whoever found that money desperately needed it. I couldn’t believe we raised it in just 24 hours and it was a big deal that people trusted me so this could happen.”
Betty has now vowed to go back to Westwood to get her presents but will be accompanied by daughter Melissa this time!