Bury St Edmunds robbery victim's heartfelt message of thanks to community
An 82-year-old woman who was attacked and robbed in Bury St Edmunds says she has been ‘overwhelmed’ by the community’s ‘kindness and generosity’ in a heartfelt thank you letter.
The pensioner was assaulted in Tennyson Road on Thursday, June 27 after withdrawing money from Lake Avenue Store and Post Office.
Her handbag containing bank cards and cash was stolen and the woman suffered cuts and bruises. Two men were arrested and charged in connection with the incident.
In response, residents launched a collection at Lake Avenue Store, which raised £760.18.
A separate online Go Fund Me page was also set up and a ‘Good Neighbour Buddy System’ brought together a network of volunteers to walk elderly residents on the Howard and Mildenhall Road estates to the shops, bus stops and errands.
In a letter to the Bury Free Press, the woman said: “Myself and my family would like to say a huge thank you to the paramedics and all the staff in A&E at West Suffolk Hospital for their swift and careful treatment towards me.
“Also, to the police involved and those currently working on the case - you could not have done more than you have.
“Thank you for doing such a great job and also being such a great support to us all as a family.
“The well wishes, cards, flowers and donations from people who don’t even know me. We are overwhelmed by your kindness and generosity.
“I am on the mend, although still very bruised.
“Thank you everybody. Much love and God bless you all.”
The amount generated at the Lake Avenue Store included three large donations of more than £100 each.
A Facebook post from the store said: “What an amazing response it’s been by the community, I’m sure she will be overwhelmed and hopefully will help lift her spirits.”
The ‘Good Neighbour’ system is being set up Michelle Dawson, Bury Town Cllr Katie Parker, Hazel Stenson and Caroline Jones.
Hazel said they have had a ‘wonderful’ response.
Cllr Parker said they were due to meet with a representative from the Suffolk Good Neighbour scheme on Tuesday night.
