EVENING Press readers are rallying round a war widow who was robbed of her life savings by a heartless conwoman.

The plight of 87-year-old Ellen Shepherd touched the hearts of our readers, some of whom were so shocked by the callousness of the theft that they handed over donations.

We will be forwarding the money to Mrs Shepherd, who is still recovering from her ordeal when she was robbed by a well-spoken woman posing as a council warden.

The frail pensioner had just returned to her home, in Thorpe Willoughby, near Selby, after withdrawing £1,500 in cash from her local post office, when the thief struck.

While Mrs Shepherd was making some tea, she picked up the money, which was lying on a coffee table, and hid it in her handbag.

When Mrs Shepherd realised what had happened, she tried to grab the thief's handbag, but was pushed away and then had the door slammed in her face.

She is still suffering from an aching neck, sore legs and a swollen wrist and says she has never felt so old.

Terry Wright, 75, of Sowerby Road, Acomb, called in to the Evening Press office, in York, after reading the story last week.

He handed over a cheque for £50, saying he was appalled by the incident.

A former army gunner who served in North Africa and Egypt, Mr Wright said: "I am a pensioner and I have been ripped off myself.

"I handed over £150 in cash to a man who spent just 30 minutes trimming the bushes in my garden.

"But hearing how Mrs Shepherd lost her life savings, especially when it was for a holiday, I felt so much for her.

"It was such a bad case and I just wanted to help in some way.

"Unfortunately, there are some rotten people about and she didn't realise how bad some people can be."

Lynn Cotton, of Tollerton, sent a donation, saying: "I wish I could send more - but here is £15 to say I hope she hasn't lost her faith in human nature."

A 76-year-old retired York railway worker, who sent a cheque for £10, said: "I was very disturbed when I read the story. I think it will have evoked horror among many people of my age group.

"I was appalled and very annoyed that this could happen to a frail widow whose husband fought and died for his country. It's a disgrace."

Mrs Shepherd's husband, Sidney, died in 1940 at the age of 23 when German bombers sank the British destroyer Afridi off the Norwegian coast.

A tearful Mrs Shepherd said today: "I can't thank these people enough. It's very good of them to send me money.

"The woman who stole the money I had saved up over many years from my war pension is pure evil.

"But these donations show there are still some kind-hearted people out there who care."

Updated: 10:37 Monday, October 13, 2003