A PENSIONER who lost £500 when purse snatchers struck has been helped by her own team of Christmas angels.

Edith Clarke, 88, was shopping in Cards For You in Dovercourt High Street when her purse was taken from her shopping trolley.

She had been planning on using the money to buy Christmas presents and pay bills.

It is thought the thieves, who are still being sought by police, followed her from the bank to the shop before striking.

Mrs Clarke’s purse also contained photographs of her late husband.

Year six pupils at Harwich Community Primary School, in Barrack Lane, Dovercourt, were so moved by the incident that they decided to raise money for Mrs Clarke.

Keen to prove that not all youngsters were like the thieves who stole her Christmas cash, the ten and 11-year-olds promised only to watch half-an-hour of television a day. Their sponsored event raised £211.62.

Headteacher Valerie Metcalf said: “Some of the children were aware of what had happened and thought it was awful that this elderly woman had been mugged just before Christmas.”

“A lot of the children said they didn’t want her to think that all the children in Harwich were like that,” she added.

John Johnson, who owns Cards For You, and staff at The Cliff Hotel also decided to help by auctioning teddy bears.

They raised about £255 through raffle ticket sales.

Mr Johnson said: “She is such a nice woman, and when you get someone in her 80s who has all her savings stolen, of course you have got to do something about it.”

“It is down to the people of Harwich and Dovercourt buying the raffle tickets – we did the easy part and supplied the bears, but we didn’t even have to ask customers to buy the tickets, they just came up and did it, so there are a lot of good people who live here.”

“I saw her when she lost that £500 and it gutted me, but now I have seen her when she got £470 back and it has made me happy,” he added.

Two year six pupils presented Mrs Clarke with the money on Wednesday.

Mrs Clarke said: “I broke down and cried, I was so touched.

“When the little schoolboy spoke to me in the shop and gave me a lovely letter and a beautiful card with all the little faces of the children on it, it was really moving.

“There are some lovely people about and to think that people in Harwich and Dovercourt have thought of me is wonderful.”