A GENEROUS community came together to raise funds for a vulnerable elderly woman.

Elizabeth Adams, 82, from the Simpasture area of Newton Aycliffe lost her pension while out shopping in the town centre earlier this month.

When Mrs Adams realised, she had lost a substantial amount of money intended for her groceries and household bills, she swiftly rang 101.

The missing property was then reported to PCSO Jen Atkinson from Newton Aycliffe Neighbourhood Team who immediately appealed to the public for help on social media.

PCSO Atkinson was blown away by the kind offers from residents who wanted to donate money and offer support to Mrs Adams, so she teamed up with Community Spirit Newton Aycliffe to set up a Go Fund Me page.

Offers have since been flooding in with the page now reaching over its target of £300.

Yesterday, Mrs Adams received the donations at Newton Aycliffe Police Station where she was joined by PCSO Atkinson and Nev Jones from Community Spirit Newton Aycliffe.

PCSO Atkinson said: “Newton Aycliffe is a wonderful place to live and work.

"Although it was disappointing that the money was not returned, it’s refreshing to see that the community came together to support one of its residents. “Mrs Adams passed on her thanks and only wished she could thank everyone individually."

 Anyone with information about missing money is asked to call PCSO Atkinson on 101 quoting reference number 295 of August 5.