DOZENS of shocked wellwishers have donated to a fundraising page which has been set up after a 91-year-old woman was punched and robbed in the street.

The mugging of frail pensioner Lily Walsh, who uses a shopping trolley to help her walk, sparked an outpouring of anger from readers.

The courageous grandmother was attacked by a woman in Moor Lane after shopping in Morrisons in the town centre.

Leyanne Bromley was so outraged she helped set up a fundraising page, alongside mum Kath Connor and friend Shelley Breen, to help Mrs Walsh.

They set a modest target of £200 target but, within just three days, warm-hearted readers had helped smash that figure, with almost four weeks of the appeal still to run. 

At the time of writing, the figure stood at £1,242, with more than 30 pledges made, including one of £1,000.

Ms Bromley, aged 31, from Breightmet, said: "I was just disgusted at what this woman has done. 
"When I was 20, I was helping old ladies cross the road.

"Things just seem to be getting worse and I just wanted this woman to know that there are still decent people out there and we are not all bad in Bolton.

"If my mum was victim of something like this, I don't know what I would do.

"There just aren't the words really to describe what this person has done."

The attack happened on Saturday, July 18 when Mrs Walsh was punched in the face by the attacker, who had asked her if she had change for £20 then snatched her purse.

The ordeal left the Mrs Walsh very upset, but she is refusing to let the robber win, and was back out shopping just two days later.

Ms Bromley, who works in a cafe in Bury, added: "I just wanted her faith in the community to be restored. Money seemed the best gesture, as she had money stolen.

"I would have been happy to donate my time, to accompany her to the shops for a few weeks or something, or cook her and her husband a meal so she doesn't have to do it.

"She can do what she chooses with the money raised. I just want her to know that people care out there."

Mrs Walsh was very moved by the gesture. 

She said: "I am all right. I still weep a bit when I think about it.

"I don't really want the attention, but it's very good of them and I thank them very much for what they have done.

"I think I will choose to donate the money to Cancer Research UK, after my daughter died from cancer a few years ago."

The attacker is described as white, of slim build, and wore a grey woollen bob hat, grey bottoms and a short, dark coloured coat.

No arrests have yet been made.

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 5608 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The fundraising page set up for Mrs Walsh is at crowdfunding.justgiving.com/shelley-breen.