The cash cavalry swung into action, donating funds, when a Brixington woman dropped and lost her remaining benefit money in Exmouth.

A disabled Brixington woman, who dropped and lost her benefit money, has been touched by the kindness of strangers donating cash.

Margaret Ralph, 58, of Langstone Drive, sobbed when she lost her last �30 in an Exmouth supermarket earlier this month, forcing her and husband Michael, 61, to scrimp on daily essentials like milk.

When the couple appealed in the Journal for the cash to be returned – no questions asked – they had no idea their lives were to be touched by a handful of cash Samaritans.

Mum-of-two Margaret, who suffers from osteoarthritis and sometimes needs a wheelchair to get around, said they were ‘bowled over’ to find �50 stuffed through their letter box.

Touched by the couple’s plight, Exmouth’s cash cavalry had swung into action to save the day.

Nearby Brixington Community Church members surprised the couple with a donation of a bag of food.

Grandmother-of-one Margaret thanked everyone who saved the day.

She said: “We were totally gobsmacked. I am very grateful. There are not enough words to say thank you.

“I know to a lot of people it’s not a lot of money, but to us it means the world.

“I can’t thank everyone enough for all their kindness. I am just bowled over. It has restored our faith in human nature to know there are good people around.”

She added: “When a gentleman from the community church gave me a bag of food, I didn’t know what to do - I was so taken aback. My husband and I were in tears. It was fantastic.”

The first envelope pushed through the couple’s door held �10 with a note that said ‘I didn’t take your money, but I hope this will help’.

The following day a Co-op bank envelope arrived containing �30. A �10 note was also pushed through the letterbox.

Margaret said the extra cash would be used to treat her granddaughter Paige, 12, to a day out at Crealy. She said a lack of cash meant she had been unable to treat the youngster for several years.

The disabled gran sobbed when she learned the Journal had contacted Crealy Great Adventure Park and the management had kindly donated a year’s pass for the family.

The grandmother-of-one, who was homeless on the streets as a teenager, said money was tight now she was disabled. She said she and Michael survived on a fortnightly carer’s allowance payment of �246

“If we have any left, we have a treat – I don’t mean a night out or a meal, what I mean is a packet of biscuits or some chocolate,” said Margaret.