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Kind volunteers have helped refurbish the bungalow of a pensioner who was attacked in his home last year.
Minster man Arthur Chew was sat in his front room last October when masked thugs broke in and beat him before taking £600 in cash.
The 76-year-old, of Kent Avenue, was left black and blue following the ordeal, which saw his home ransacked.
Now, six months on, a group of volunteers, including a former Kent strongman, have banded together to raise £700 for Arthur and give his home a 24-hour makeover.
Chatham fundraiser Rocky Troiani led the project with the help of dozens of others to refurbish Arthur’s home, which included re-painting the inside and changing the kitchen.
Rocky and his team surprised Arthur with the changes on his birthday last weekend as they distracted him with a one-hour limo ride around Sheppey.
On his return the father-of-two was met with a round of applause as all the volunteers stood outside his home and welcomed him back.
Speaking about the motivation behind the project, Rocky, who was helped by the Bring Every Kind of Smiles charity, said: “After I saw the story about what happened to Arthur I couldn’t let it go and had to help.
“With the help of the public we raised £700 and gave him it as a cheque.
“It was his birthday last week so we organised a surprise for him with the help of Oasis Limo who distracted him while we finished the house off.
“Arthur hasn’t been outside his home for more than a year because of isolation so it was great we could organise something like this for him.
“We wanted him to get his smile back after everything he’s been through.
“I just want to thank everyone who helped, donated supplies or offered support, their kindness has been amazing.”
Arthur, who celebrated his birthday on April 23, said: “They’ve done it up lovely. It was a real surprise.
“They took me out in a stretch limo, which is the first time I’ve been out for a year, and when I got back they were all there and showed me all the work they’ve done.
“They’re coming back to put up a metal security gate too, to stop anyone else from trying to get in and rob me again.
“They’ve done really well and they’re such lovely people. I can’t thank them enough.”
A man accused of carrying out the vicious attack on Arthur Chew will face a three-day trial later this month.
Andrew McNair, who also lives on the Island, pleaded not guilty when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court in November last year.
During the hearing McNair’s defence barrister Phoebe Bragg told Judge Catherine Moore that the prosecution’s DNA analysis is likely to be challenged at the hearing.
The 28-year-old, of Warden Bay Road, Warden, will return to the court for his trial, starting on May 24.
At the time of the offence two women, aged 51 and 39, were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit burglary.
Both women have since been released without charge.
