“Reassuring act of humanity” after 96-year old, blind Ethel Rand was robbed in her home

Ethel Rand

When 96-year old blind lady Ethel Rand was robbed in her own home and left without money for her electricity bill, she was left frightened and unable to trust people around her. However, the community came together in a “reassuring act of humanity” to raise back the money back that was stolen, totalling now at almost £2,000.

Donations have been flooding in all week for the “kind and sweet” lady who was cruelly robbed as she sat in her living room last Wednesday evening.

The thugs went through her purse and took £180 along with cash she had been saving to pay her bills – a small percentage of the cash that has been raised on her fundraising page, titled 'Justice for Ethel'.

All funds for Ethel are being stored in a bank account after friends convinced her to no longer keep money in her home. A new security system has been installed in her home to help her feel safer.

Andy Douglas, who says he sees Ethel as an honorary mother, set up the page, but was not expecting such a huge response. He said: “It’s not just from Rochdale. It’s not just from the UK. We are even getting donations from abroad. It’s amazing how people come together at times. My phone was going mad with notifications of donations as soon as I put it up.

He added: “Ethel isn’t family but she is like a family member to me. My parents have passed away now and she means a lot to me.

“She was really upset when it happened, she spent the day crying and was worried about how she was going to pay her bills. She has never brought harm to anyone. She is absolutely stunned by the support she’s had. At 96 you don’t really get the power of the internet, so it’s been even more of a surprise for her. She is really thankful to everyone.

“She won’t keep money in her home anymore but that’s good.”

Ethel said: "It was a big surprise that this page was set up for me, I can't believe how generous people have been. It has restored my faith in humanity. So many lovely people. I still can't believe it. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this."

Granddaughters Christine Rand and Lynsey Rand Brady have both said they would like to thank all the donators through Rochdale Online.

Ethel was targeted between 6.00pm and 9.00pm last Wednesday evening. A police investigation is underway to find the person or people responsible.
Greater Manchester Police is urging anyone with information to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or the non-emergency police number 101.

To view Ethel’s fundraising page, visit:

https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/justiceforethel