Mystery of ‘benefactor’ leaving £2k bags of cash
A MYSTERY benefactor is leaving bundles of £2,000 in cash for people to find in one of Britain’s most deprived communities.
Honest residents have been praised by police for repeatedly handing in the huge sums which have been left around their village for the past five years.
Since 2014 locals in the former mining community of Blackhall Colliery, Co Durham, have handed in 12 bundles totalling £24,000.
This year alone four bundles each of 100 £20 notes – always in plastic envelopes left in plain sight – have been found and taken to police.
But despite fingerprinting the envelopes and making extensive inquiries, officers have not been able to trace the source of the cash.
One theory is that it could be an eccentric wealthy philanthropist who is trying to help people in a village ravaged by unemployment since its pit closed in 1981.
But there are also concerns it could be somebody confused by dementia or another illness.
Detective Constable John Forster of Durham Police revealed how 10 villagers who handed cash in have had it given back to them because it was never claimed.
He said: “The people who came to us with the money have benefited from their honesty.
“Not one person who came forwards did so with any intention to gain from it, they acted out of public spiritedness.
“We’ve explored all the theories we can think of connected to criminality, such as money laundering, but we’re satisfied there is no connection at all in any of these finds.”
Det Con Forster said there was a “possibility” that other envelopes had been found and not handed in, but he added: “I’d rather concentrate on the honest people.
“It says a lot about this community that so many came forward.”
Villagers are as baffled by the police at the appearance of the cash.
Retired construction manager
Paul Hunter, 71, said: “It’s a mystery why this is happening.
“Whoever is leaving that sort of money lying around in the street either has a kangaroo loose in the paddock or is trying to help out.
“I’m just wondering whether this is somebody with a connection to the place who wants to give something back.”
Bob Turnbull, 70, worked at Blackhall pit for 10 years until his career was cut short by an accident underground. He said: “It says a lot real for the village that people are handing this money in, there are a lot of people who could use £2,000.
“There have been problems with crime and we’ve lost the sense of community we used to have but it still says a lot for people.”
Local county councillor Lynn Pounder said: “If there is a billionaire living in Blackhall, they have kept their secret very well. It is baffling and intriguing.”