A RHYL fundraising group has rallied around a pensioner to help "restore her faith in humanity" after her purse was snatched in the street in Rhyl.

Pauline Sheldon, aged 78, had her purse, containing a "considerable sum", stolen from her handbag in Rhyl town Centre on Wednesday, November 27.

In response, Rhyl based community charity Belief surprised Pauline - who spent her life working as a nurse for the NHS - the following day at her home, with £100 in cash as well as flowers and some chocolates.

Steve Evans, of Belief volunteer from Meliden, said: "This really did sicken me, the thought that anybody could steal the purse - containing a considerable sum of money - from this lovely lady in Rhyl Town centre is vile, disgusting and cowardly.

"We wasted no time in visiting Pauline. She was extremely shaken up by the incident - here’s hoping our gift helps in some way to restore her faith in humanity."

Founded by Bodelwyddan Hotel porter Mr Evans in 2012 - alongside five other volunteers after the St Asaph floods - the group's the aim is to try to help "make a difference to those that had been dealt a cruel hand" in the community. Currently, Belief has 85 members who donate £2.50 a month towards the charitable fund.

Over the years, the group has supported a variety of causes including giving gifts to children with cancer to funding TV's on the care of the elderly ward at Glan Clwyd hospital.

Upon finding out about the incident on Pauline's granddaughter Francesca Sheldon on Facebook, the group leapt in to action with unanimous consent from its members to reach out.

Miss Sheldon said: "After the incident, my gran's view on people had definitely changed.

"My gran spent her life working for the NHS caring for people, so we think it is amazing and are so grateful to finally have people in the community care for her.

"It's definitely helped restore her faith in people again."

Mr Evans added: "I’m so pleased she has such a strong. loving family to support her."

A spokesperson for North Wales Police said: "We can confirm that we received a call at 11.44am on Wednesday, November 27 to reports that a woman had her purse stolen from her handbag on the High Street in Rhyl.

"Enquiries are ongoing. Anyone with any information is urged to contact police by calling 101 with reference number X171493."