A VOLUNTEER from Cirencester who takes pride in keeping the town looking good was amazed this week to discover that strangers had raised more than £1,200 for him after he was the victim of a theft.

Tony Curry has been mowing the grass on the town’s roundabouts and verges in his spare time for more than three years.

But on Easter Saturday he was dismayed when the £1,200 trailer in which he transports his mower was stolen while he was mowing the roundabout near Cirencester fire station.

The 70-year-old former councillor receives no money for his work. He says he just gets a kick out of helping and truly takes pride in looking after the town.

On hearing the news of the trailer theft through the Standard, the people of Cirencester became determined to raise as much as they could to help out the good-hearted grandfather.

The Standard set up a fundraising account online and in just one weekend the target of £1,200 was met – and more is still being added.

“It’s just unbelievable,” said Mr Curry on hearing the news. “I just want to say a massive thank you to everyone. I’ve had wonderful phone calls, emails, it’s been staggering. I can’t get over it.

“On Saturday I was cutting the roundabout again on Tetbury Road and someone came over and said ‘I just wanted to thank you for all you’ve done.’ Nothing would come out of my mouth. Then another guy came half an hour later.

“I was there for five hours and had three people come up and speak to me. I just could not believe it.

“I feel so strongly about this town and I feel even stronger now. I honestly had not realised how seriously people in this town had taken this.”

Mr Curry has said he will use the £1,200 to cover the cost of the trailer but anything extra will go towards planting a new tree on the Waitrose roundabout.

Those who donated left heart-warming comments online, praising Mr Curry for his efforts.

Suzannah Harvey from Cotswold Airport donated £453 and wrote: “The world needs more people like Tony Curry! Happy mowing and if you’ve got time, I’ve got 400 odd acres that need trimming! From us all at Cotswold Airport.”

Deputy mayor of Cirencester Mark Harris donated £50 and said: “Tony – I know we are standing against each other in the election, but there are times when we need to pull together, this is one them.”

Lynne Curtis-King donated £10 and said: “Sometimes it seems we are getting swamped by the ‘bad guys’. This appeal just shows there are far more good ones, we just need to stand up and be counted.”

In total 37 people and businesses donated sums of £5 and up to Mr Curry's trailer fund.

Tony Curry says thank you to all those who donated