A couple who had £125 meant for kids' toys nicked have been "blown away" after a kind-hearted stranger helped raise over double that in a heartwarming Christmas miracle.

Caryn Maine, 61, and her husband Peter, the pastor for North Heath Family Church, were devastated after the money they had raised to buy toys for local children, along with Mrs Maine's own purse, was stolen from their home last Friday night as they slept upstairs unaware.

"We got up Saturday morning and I noticed my handbag was by the front door. I came into our living room and noticed that the money I had put aside for the kids was gone," she said.

Mrs Maine explained her daughter Kerry had helped sell some old toys to raise the money for new ones as they regularly have kids come to the church on Sundays and on the church's "fun days" which are held every other month.

Unfortunately those plans were put on hold due to the burglary. That was, however, until an unexpected act of kindness from a sympathetic resident helped raise an impressive amount of money.

A man by the name of Steven Elliot, who is unknown to Mr and Mrs Mayne, set up a JustGiving online fundraiser page asking people to donate what they can to help the charitable couple recoup the missing money in time for Christmas.

The fundraiser description read: "Some good people that work hard for the local community were burgled and the money they had gathered to buy some toys for the children and visitors of the local community church were stolen.

"They would never ask for money so here I am, so please give what you can to bring some joy at Christmas."

In just a few days, more than £300 has been raised with more donations still coming in.

"It's quite amazing that the community would actually do that for us. It's incredible really," said Mrs Maine.

She said she wanted to thank Mr Elliot for stepping in to help.

"What we are planning to do next year is to have a drinks and nibbles evening just so we can meet the community and just say a massive thank you.

"At this time of year, Christmas, people don't have a lot of money. So to think that people have donated with money that they probably don't have is just so generous," she said.

The North Heath Family Church has planned its next fun day on February 9 and kids are encouraged to come along and try out the new toys bought through community fundraising.