A STAPLEGROVE mum was so moved by the sickening attack on D-Day veteran Jim Booth that she set up a fundraising page to raise money for a military charity.
Jim, 96, of Gipsy Lane, was viciously attacked with a claw hammer at his home on November 25.
Since the attack, there has been a public outpour of anger from Taunton residents with many saying they were left ‘horrified’ by the incident.
READ: War hero Jim Booth, 96, in hospital after 'vicious' distraction burglary hammer attack
But mother-of-two Helen Chambers, 36, has gone a step further and has set up a fundraising page to raise money for Help for Heroes.
Helen said she was 'heartbroken' after hearing about Jim’s attack and said she felt she had to do something to help him.
"When I heard about what happened to Jim I was absolutely disgusted and when I told my husband he was almost in tears," Helen said.
“It’s just mortifying that something like this could happen in Taunton, especially to a man of Jim’s age.
“It has really shaken the community and we just knew we had to do something to help.”
The dedicated mum posted an appeal on a Facebook group in an attempt to get in touch with Jim's family. And said she was ‘thrilled’ when his granddaughter responded.
"When Jim's granddaughter commented on the group I was so happy,” Helen said.
“I asked her if she would be happy for me to raise money to support Jim and his family through his recovery but she refused, she said the family didn’t want any money.
“Then I came up with the idea to raise money for Help for Heroes and she was thrilled and said she was happy for me to do it.
“It seemed only fitting considering Jim’s history.”
The page has raised £140 so far but Helen said she is hopeful £2,000 will be raised for the charity.
“Things like this don’t happen very often in Taunton. It proves that awful things like this can happen anywhere and at any time and the community has to pull together,” Helen said.
“I hope people will donate as much money as possible so we can give it to Help For Heroes – it is a fantastic charity who help support people who have served in the armed forces.”
To donate visit the website.
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