A retired couple’s faith in humanity has been restored after receiving a generous charity donation following the theft of one of their hedgehog boxes.

Donald and Susan Ralph “were over the moon” when they were told about the anonymous £100 pledge.

It comes after their handmade hedgehog house was taken without payment from outside their home in Nutfields, Sittingbourne.

The ex-Everest double glazing employees sell plants and homemade goods and donate the proceeds to cancer charity Macmillan as their daughter Hayley, 46, is battling cancer.

Mrs Ralph,76, said she was very pleased that more money was going to the charity.

She said “When we had the phone call Donald had tears in his eyes and I was choking up.

“It wasn't about the money it was the principle.

“It has given us more encouragement because there are good people out there.

“People have recognised us when we walk about and ask us how it was going with it. It’s just great.”

The couple have paid the money into the bank which will go towards Macmillian.

Mr Ralph, who has battled cancer in the past, was left questioning whether to continue to make wooden goods for sale.

He said: “It made me wonder why I should make these goods.”

“But now my daughter is even being asked by people what I can make for them.”

The anonymous donor told Kent Online he thought the couple were “doing a wonderful thing and I hope they continue.”

On July 22 the couple and their family will be holding a fundraising sale outside their home.