Earlier this evening, I had a visit from a Surrey Police officer asking if we had noticed anything last Wednesday - sadly, we were out at work, so could offer nothing. The officer informed me that an elderly neighbour (in his 80's) had been conned out of £5000 in cash by conmen on the premise that they were going to repair/refurbish the roof on his home.

The elderly gent concerned is both home and garden proud (his garden and the roses therein are a credit to our street), and it is that pride that I suspect is behind him parting with such a significant sum to these conmen. The money was extorted over two visits, in broad daylight, on the one day. Sadly, the police currently have little to go on, so the likelihood of catching the perpetrators looks slim.

Much as I would do anything in my capabilities to help, I do not have £5000 to give, however even if we can raise a fraction of the money lost, I am utterly sure that every penny raised will go some way to easing the pain that my elderly neighbour is suffering.

Thank you for reading, and thank you in advance for any contribution that you choose to make.