THE daughter of a veteran who was burgled as he lay in his deathbed has thanked the people of Bromsgrove for restoring the family's faith in humanity, and says the £3,000 in community donations will help to give her dad the send-off he deserves.

Cyril Maddox died surrounded by family on Sunday, aged 87, one week after his savings were stolen from his bedside during a ransacking at his Stourbridge Road home.

Since the story featured on the Advertiser's front page last week, the Maddox family has received more than £3,000 from well-wishers, after a campaign was launched online to replace the £600 stolen.

Donations poured in from neighbours, strangers, police and local businessmen. Some were delivered in person or posted anonymously through the letterbox.

Cyril's daughter Kerry Crisp, 52, said: "We can't thank the people of Bromsgrove enough for all their donations. I'm just so overwhelmed.

"If dad were here he would have lined each and every one of them up and shook everyone's hand.

"It's restored our faith in people."

Cyril, who grew up in Bromsgrove, served as a marksmen in the Royal Pioneers in the 1950s before working for Austin Rover in Longbridge.

Bromsgrove Advertiser:

He and his wife Vivian, who now suffers from motor neurone disease and frontal dementia, were married for 61 years, and had two children, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren together.

His family described him as a 'true gentleman' and an 'amazing man', who had a passion for pigeon racing.

The Maddox family hopes to use some of the money raised for a pigeon-shaped floral tribute at Cyril's funeral from the people of Bromsgrove.

Donations will replace the money stolen, and help to pay for the funeral and wake, which are yet to be arranged. The family also plans to make a donation towards the Primrose Hospice.

West Mercia Police says the investigation into the burglary is ongoing.