A British woman who set up a fundraising campaign for a disabled mugging victim has met him for the first time.

Katie Cutler's webpage has received almost 19,000 donations in just three days, leaving Alan Barnes from Gateshead with over £240,000 (€320,000).

He has been afraid to go home since his collarbone was broken in the attack a week ago.

Beautician Katie Cutler says meeting the 67-year-old did not feel real:

Mr Barnes, who has disabilities from birth after his mother contracted German measles when she was pregnant, broke his collarbone when he was pushed over by his attacker.

Following reports of the attack, which police described as "disgraceful", Ms Cutler set up the Help Alan Barnes online donation page on the crowdfunding platform GoFundMe.

She wrote: "I was so upset that anyone could target a disabled pensioner and be so cruel. We can't take away what has happened but with a little donation we can make the future a prettier one and help towards the cost of his new home. Thank you all."

One online contributor, Lorraine Susan, said: "I really hope this fund helps him get settled somewhere nice & safe."

"At least he knows there are literally thousands on his side."

Mr Barnes is a well-known figure in Low Fell, and is renowned for being able to quickly calculate how many days old someone is from their date of birth.

Originally posted at 17.44