Neighbours buy a holiday for gran who was mugged twice
A GRANNIE who was mugged twice in two weeks has been treated to a free holiday after her outraged community rallied round to help.
Anne Willis, 76, was on the way back from her local supermarket in Hazel Grove, Stockport, Manchester, when she was robbed at knifepoint on June 10.
The man made off with gifts Anne had bought for her grandchildren, including a Superman T-shirt.
Then, just 13 days later, widow Anne was targeted again as she returned from church.
This time, she was thrown to the ground by the mugger, who made off with her bag and left her with a broken shoulder.
After the attacks, local residents held a fundraiser for Anne, who spent two days in hospital after the second mugging.
Donations have now exceeded £1,000 and Anne, whose husband Keith died in 1999, plans to use the money to go on holiday in Wales when she recovers.
So far, however, she has been too scared to leave her home again.
Anne, who suffered a heart attack two years ago, said: “The first time he took my shopping bag, then a fortnight later, this man snatched my bag.
“I ended up on the ground and smashed my shoulder. I came to Hazel Grove in 1972 and I’ve never had anything like this before – it’s so nice and peaceful here.”
The local community has been so horrified by the attacks that children at nearby Dial Park Primary School invited Anne in for a cup of tea and made her a card. She has also been inundated with flowers and cards from other residents.
Anne’s brother David Carter, 63, said: “The second time, my daughter rang me up and said, ‘Have you heard what’s happened? Anne has been targeted again’.
“It is unbelievable. She had a heart attack two years ago and she could have had another one.
“I’ve lived in this area all my life. Nothing quite like this has happened before.”
Police confirmed Lee Davenport, 39, of Mount Pleasant, Hazel Grove, was charged with two counts of robbery on June 10 and June 23.