Margaret Lilly with neighbour Robbie Callaghan and Cllr Ciaran McLaughlin receiving her support cheque for more than €3,380
The 96 year old woman, attacked and robbed in her home, has said the first thing she will buy is a new bed after her community raised more than €3,000 for her.
Margaret ‘Greta’ Lilly was left terrified after she was set-upon at her home in Buncrana on January 6th last.
The widow was robbed but managed to raise the alarm before being hospitalised for a week.
However, the raiders managed to steal a considerable sum of money which Ms Lilly was saving to have new windows installed at her bungalow.
The local community, which was left disgusted by the attack, came together to set up the Margaret Lilly Support Fund.
And yesterday Ms Lilly was presented with a cheque for €3,308 after just one month’s fundraising.
Local Buncrana Town Councillor Ciaran McLaughlin, who started the fund at Buncrana Credit Union, said he was delighted by the response.
Among those who donated to the fund having heard of Margaret’s horrific plight was a group of Donegal businessmen based in England who donated €1,000 after holding a golf classic.
A doctor from Trim in Co Meath also donated €100 to help Margaret get back on her feet.
Margaret is back in Letterkenny General Hospital after suffering a slight fall at her home in Aghilly but she hopes to be home soon.
She said she was speechless by the generosity of the people who had heard of her plight.
“I can’t thank people enough. Everyone has been so good to me.
“I’m getting better all the time now and I would love to buy a new bed when I get home.
“I just want everything to get back to normal now and I’m just looking forward to getting home to my own house again,” she said.
Cllr McLaughlin said the support shown to Ms Lilly has restored his faith in people.
“The burglary and attack on Ms Lilly showed the bad side of people but the support fund and how people responded to it shows there is always a better side to people.
“I can’t say how proud I am of the people of Donegal and beyond at the generosity they showed to Margaret. My faith in people has been restored.
“Hopefully Margaret can continue to recover now and get back home to live in peace,” he said.
Meanwhile a man has been remanded in custody charged in connection with the break-in to Ms Lilly’s home.
Thomas Alcock, 48, of no fixed abode, who is charged with burglary and threatening to kill will appear again in court on Match 14th.