Kind-hearted getwestlondon readers have launched a fundraising webpage with the aim of repaying thousands of pounds stolen from an elderly Second World War veteran.

Within hours of our publication of a story about how Lionel Lake, 91, had his life savings snatched from his home while he slept, the crowd-funding page had gone live.

The organisers hope to repay the full £5,030 great grandfather Mr Lake had stolen from him, which he had hoped to pass on to his four children one day.

By 5pm on Wednesday (April 29), 95 contributors had donated £1,305 – and the total was steadily rising.

Meanwhile, police investigating the burglary, which took place some time between 9pm on Thursday (April 23) and 1am on Friday, plan to have a whip-round at the station to help reimburse Mr Lake while they pursue various lines of enquiry, including reviewing CCTV footage.

When modest Mr Lake, of St Catherine's Farm Court, Howletts Lane, Ruislip, heard what people had taken it upon themselves to do, he said: "They haven't, have they?

"I'm just an ordinary bloke. I didn't fight the war by myself. I haven't done anything."

His granddaughter Sally Fitzgerald, a 37-year-old medical centre receptionist from Ruislip, added: “I'm just so grateful. It's overwhelming that people can be so kind.

“To take it upon themselves to do this when they don't even know him, it's just amazing. People have got their own stresses in life, so to do that is just so lovely.

"I just don't know how to say thank you enough. Hopefully he can look back on this now as a positive time, rather than something awful that happened."

The crowd-funding webpage was the idea of Alan Palmer, administrator of the Facebook group Crime Awareness Group for Ruislip and Eastcote, who was so angered by Mr Lake's story he felt he had to do something to help.

Mr Palmer, 59, of South Ruislip, said: “What happened to Lionel was wicked. The members of the crime awareness group are outraged and hope the police pull out all of the stops to catch those responsible.

“After less than one hour £300 had already been pledged. I will present all monies donated to Lionel as soon as we close the fund in a week's time.”

He added: “I hope this goes some way to repaying all that this gentleman has done for this country.”

And it seems those donating felt the same, with one posting: "Thank you for your bravery and sacrifice. We will never forget what you gave for us."

Another wrote: "Sad world we live in but you stand out as a shining example of the good side of human kind. God bless you."

To visit the fundraising page or to make a donation, click here.