Family's thanks as appeal to help 94-year-old great-great-grandad after burglary raises more than £24,000

The family of a 94-year-old former pitman whose home was ransacked by burglars have been ‘blown away’ after an appeal to help raised thousands.
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Edwin Green – known as Ted – disturbed the raiders in the living room of his home in Fifth Street, Horden, in the early hours of Tuesday, December 21, after he noticed the light was on.

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Grandson Jordan trains at Gym 360 in nearby Peterlee and staff at the centre set up a Go Fund Me Page to raise funds to help Ted replace the stolen items and repair the damage.

Ted Green in his Horden home with family members (left to right) Dylan Wright (great grandson), Sandra Hawkins (daughter), Natashia Ferri (granddaughter), Abbie Green (great granddaughter) Ethan Green (great grandson) and Rachael Green (granddaughter).Ted Green in his Horden home with family members (left to right) Dylan Wright (great grandson), Sandra Hawkins (daughter), Natashia Ferri (granddaughter), Abbie Green (great granddaughter) Ethan Green (great grandson) and Rachael Green (granddaughter).
Ted Green in his Horden home with family members (left to right) Dylan Wright (great grandson), Sandra Hawkins (daughter), Natashia Ferri (granddaughter), Abbie Green (great granddaughter) Ethan Green (great grandson) and Rachael Green (granddaughter).

They initially hoped to raise £1,000 – but after the appeal circulated on social media and was highlighted in the Sunderland Echo and Hartlepool Mail, donations started to flood in.

Barely 24 hours later, the total had reached more than £24,000.

"It is just absolutely amazing,” said Ted’s daughter, Sandra Hawkins.

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"With Christmas and Covid, people have not got much money to spare – it just goes to show how many good people there are out there.

“The good people far outweigh the bad people.

"I can’t believe it.”

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The family has been overwhelmed by the response: “We were talking about it today – who are these people?” said Sandra.

"If we could thank each and every one of them face-to-face , we would.”

The aim is to use the money to help Ted to stay in the house which has been his home for four decades.

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"We will be able to get him a walk-in bath and shower,” said Sandra.

"He doesn’t want to leave the house – that’s where my mam was. We just want him to feel safe.”

Within hours of news of the burglary breaking, the local community had rallied round, to the family’s amazement.

The windows have been fixed, CCTV has been installed and the mechanic who services Ted’s car has offered to replace the stolen keys.

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"I even had the lady in Aldi saying ‘Can I pay for your dad’s groceries next week?’,” said Sandra.

"There are some fantastic people out there and they need to be thanked.”

*Four people – two 25-year-olds, a 26-year-old and a 45-year-old have been arrested.

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