A pensioner who was beaten up in the streets was “overwhelmed” by support as the community started raising money for her.

The 89-year-old woman was attacked near the Clockhouse in Woolwich at 3pm on January 31, where the attacker took the £250 she had withdrawn from an ATM.

Cheryl Spruce, who helps run the Woolwich Neighbourhood Watch, decided to set up a fundraiser after she saw the story in News Shopper and said she was amazed at the response it got.

She said: “I mean, I was only looking to replace the money she had lost. It is at more than 600 per cent its target goal.

“People have been offering to pay for her shopping or people offering to do her cleaning. One guy came all the way from Borough market with a hamper for her.”

All together the community raised more than £1,200 at time of writing and Greenwich police and Greenwich Council has also chipped in with funds.

Cheryl said: “The police visited her yesterday and let her know what we were doing. She is very overwhelmed and asked them to pass on huge thanks and that she couldn't believe how lovely people could be and she never expected such a gesture.

“The police and council and LAS also did a collection and raised £550 as well as giving her flowers. Such a wonderful gesture by all of you for your brilliant generosity towards a stranger.”

A big part of Cheryl’s inspiration for running the fundraiser is the desire to show Woolwich has a wonderful community and acts like this one thug don’t represent the majority of people there.

She said: “As a community neighbourhood watch it is very important that it’s as much about building community spirit and not just preventing crime.

“It was a cowardly act, preying on an old age pensioner. That could be your grandmother. We have a responsibility to make sure she feels safe. I just want her to know the community cares about her.”