Alan Barnes, a 77-year-old pensioner from Low Fell, Gateshead, still remembers the attack that altered his life a decade ago.

Standing at just 4ft 6in tall, and dealing with complex disabilities due to his mother contracting German measles while pregnant, Alan had always lived independently.

Despite being registered as blind, he managed his daily life until one fateful day when his world turned upside down.

The Attack That Shattered Alan Barnes’ Life

On that day, Alan was moving his bins outside his home when Richard Gatiss, a drug dealer, shoved him to the ground.

The 77-year-old helplessly watched as Gatiss rifled through his pockets, searching for cash.

Though Alan managed to call for help from his neighbors, Gatiss left empty-handed, later being sentenced to four years in prison for the brutal attack.

The Heartwarming Response From The Community

In the wake of the attack, local beautician Katie Cutler, then just 21 years old, launched a fundraising campaign to support Alan.

Her efforts raised an impressive £330,000, which allowed Alan to buy his first home and start a new chapter of his life.

The pair became close, even appearing on TV shows together and vowing to be ‘friends for life.’

Katie was dubbed the ‘Angel of the North’ and was honored with the British Empire Medal in the 2015 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

The Aftermath of the Attack and Alan’s Journey

Despite the generosity, Alan’s journey was far from smooth.

Though he initially purchased a smart two-bedroom home for £150,000, he struggled to settle into his new life and moved several times.

He eventually bought a beautiful property overlooking Saltwell Park for £250,000 in 2017, but he had to sell it for £205,000 in 2020, losing £45,000 in the process.

He now lives in a smaller house, still in the Low Fell area, the place he calls home.

Katie Cutler’s Struggles After the Fundraiser

While Alan’s life improved with the funds raised, Katie’s experience was much more difficult.

After hiring a PR firm to assist with the fundraising and establish a charity, she was left with nearly £7,000 in debt.

The charity never took off, and Katie faced legal battles, including a £6,200 loss in a 2016 court case.

This left her disillusioned with charity work, vowing never to participate again.

A Life Forever Changed by Kindness and Tragedy

Reflecting on the impact of the attack, Alan shared how it changed his life, offering him the opportunity to meet many new people.

Although he remains grateful for the support he received, he emphasized that the physical harm from the attack was “nothing” compared to the ongoing challenges he faces due to his disabilities.

Alan’s resilience and determination to give back to others remains a testament to his character, despite the hardships that have followed him.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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