The Ham&High has helped to raise an extraordinary £600 in just one day for a 99-year-old burglary victim who lost her life savings when thieves ransacked her home.

Ham & High: The Ham&High team makes the first donations to the #HelpEdith campaignThe Ham&High team makes the first donations to the #HelpEdith campaign (Image: Archant)

Edith Sell lost about £4,500 worth of jewellery and money in the callous distraction burglary at her Dartmouth Park home earlier this year.

The incident left her virtually penniless, and barely able to afford even a coffee on her pre-paid getaway to Norfolk next month.

Yesterday, the Ham&High launched a social media campaign with the hashtag #HelpEdith to help widowed Mrs Sell recover her life savings after her story appeared in the pages of this week’s newspaper.

Moved by her tale, dozens have shared the Ham&High campaign on social media – including soap actress Michelle Collins – and have donated to her cause.

In just 24 hours, the community has helped to raise £600 for Mrs Sell.

St John’s Wood restaurant Yasmeen was the first to donate, pledging an incredible £250.

The campaign is due to run for four weeks, with an ambitious target of £4,500.

If you want to help, please donate online and share the story on social media.