Alan Barnes has picked up the keys to his brand new home following an overflow of heart-felt donations after he was attacked by a mugger in January.
Alan's attacker was recently jailed for four years, following the cruel confrontation in Low Fell.
The assailant attacked Alan, who weighs less than six stone and stands at only 4ft 6inches, outside his bungalow in the Gateshead suburb. The frail Alan suffered a broken collarbone but has revealed that his arm is "just about 100 percent" healed and hopes to "move on" from the incident, enjoying his new home.
But despite the incident, the pensioner has purchased a two-bedroom terrace house in the very suburb he was attacked.
The 67-year-old has recently bought a £150,000 home in Low Fell, Gateshead, with some of the cash raised by Beautician Katie Cutler in the wake of his attack. Katie set up a fundraising appeal after hearing news of Alan's assault, raising more than £300,000.
The disabled mugging victim was targeted as he moved his wheelie bin outside his home in January. After Katie, 21, read that Alan was too afraid to return to his home in Gateshead, she set up an online appeal, hoping to raise £500 to provide him with support. But the public's generosity exceeded the Beautician's expectations and the appeal quickly went global, with donations pouring in from all over the world.
The pensioner, who suffered from height and growth problems from a young age, is using some more of the money raised to buy furniture as he settles in to his new home.
The newly re-homed pensioner spoke of his appreciation to those who kindly donated, describing his story as a "fairytale". Alan's family are pleased to see him in his new home and are happy that he chose to stay in the Low Fell area where he has always lived.
His brother-in-law Paul Yore said that Low Fell: "Is the safest place for him. There was talk of him moving to where Katie lived but we worried he might feel a bit isolated.
"We would just like to thank everyone who donated the money." Alan has joined forces with his forever friend and fundraiser, Katie as they launch their own charitable foundation where he hopes to help support young people.
