Missing pension appeal stunner

SO kind . . . Emma (centre) helped out her neighbours Alice and Roy after their pension money vanished

A WARM-HEARTED woman came to the aid of her elderly neighbours after they lost their pension.

Roy Howarth (82) had collected his weekly allowance from Chadderton Post Office when he went to buy some pies from a freezer shop in the precinct. But as he went to pay, Mr Howarth, of Fountains Walk, realised his leather jacket pocket was gaping open. More than £350 had vanished. Compassionate next-door neighbour Emma Johnson Murphy (30) heard about her neighbour's distress and kick-started a fundraising page to help.

Mr Howarth's wife Alice (81) said: "We were so shocked. My heart just sank. We are not 100 per cent certain but we think the money was stolen."

Miss Murphy, who reported the incident to police, said: "Roy was on his own ­- he didn't know what to do because he had never lost this much money.

"Alice came round to tell me what had happened. She was so upset about what they would do.

"Roy had gone to the post office at around 9.40am, left with his money and walked to the freezer shop which is only five doors away.

"But he realised by the time he got up there and went to pay for his pies that it had gone."

Quick-thinking Miss Murphy returned to Chadderton Precinct and visited several shops to ask if anyone had handed in the money.

In a final effort to turn the situation around, Miss Murphy called on the support of caring residents via a GoFundMe page online.

The former St Augustine of Canterbury RC High School pupil said: "I had a huge response from people who felt sorry for them.

"I am flabbergasted at the amount we have raised.

"I thought we'd get £80 but we raised £390 in 30 hours which was amazing.

"I would just like to say a massive thank-you to every single person who donated money to help my lovely neighbours."

Mum-of-two Miss Murphy visited her neighbours to share the good news and posted a photo of the happy couple on Facebook.

Gary Longshaw, who donated to the cause, said: "I saw the story on Facebook and noticed that it had been shared lots.

"To see that she has organised this for an older couple is quite something."

When she was 14, Miss Murphy won Young Citizen of the Year with Oldham policing team for her voluntary work with the elderly.

Proud mum Juliette Johnson Murphy said her daughter was an inspiration and that she takes ownership for every vulnerable person she meets.

Mrs Murphy said: "I am so proud of Emma and always have been ­- she is such an inspiration.

"Emma cared for my mum for several years before she passed away 18 months ago and continues to help care for my dad as well as being a fantastic mum to her two children.

"Emma almost feels responsible for all vulnerable people she meets and helps wherever she can so this was not a shock or out of the ordinary for her."

Miss Murphy said: "I have seen a lot of people struggling throughout my life.

"My mum had cancer when I was 14 and my nana was quite poorly and it prompted me to go into nursing.

"People have said I'm a hero but I don't see myself as a hero. You just go out of your way to help people through."

Since moving into her home four years ago, Miss Murphy has struck up a friendship with the Howarths and they regularly visit each other's homes.

Mr Howarth said: "When I got all this money back I felt dumbfounded.

"There are still a lot of nice people about. Emma has been wonderful with us."