SHOWER her with your love!Today we bring you a heartbreaking story of an elderly widow who was targeted by muggers in the run-up to Christmas

JUST as the season of goodwill was dawning, vicious attackers have left an elderly woman scared of life in her own home town.

The Evening Star is determined not to let these callous thieves win the day while this elderly woman is left suffering.

Ipswich Central heard about her plight and arranged for a Marks and Spencer hamper to be given to the woman with lots of Christmas goodies inside. It will be presented to her today.

The cruel attack left her with a fractured pelvis and now she faces an uphill battle to get on her feet again and fend for herself.

The woman, who has spent the last 40 years living in south west Ipswich, does not want to stay in hospital but is afraid to go back home in case her attackers seek her out.

On the afternoon of the incident last Monday she was enjoying a cup of tea and chat with some friends and decided to take the short walk home at around 5.30pm, using a torch to guide her along the streets.

It was as she was walking along Halifax Road that two men crossed over to her side of the road and tried to grab her bag. As one pushed her, she lost her balance and fell to the ground screaming, causing the men to flee towards Montgomery Road.

Speaking from her hospital bed, the widow, who does not have any children, said: “I really ought to have let go of my bag but I just held onto it.

“When they pulled me down I screamed and they ran off. I wanted to attract the attention of other people. Another chap saw me on the ground because of my torch and came over to help me up. I was very shaky and cried. I didn't even have any money in my bag.

“It is still very sore. I have been a bit weepy when I start to think about it. You ought to be able to go outside without people attacking you.

“It has made me nervous about going out alone. I am putting my trust in the police to find them.”

- Have you been a victim of a similar crime? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.

Detective Sergeant Eammon Bridger is today urging people who saw the incident or know those involved to contact the police.

He said: “We would urge people not to leave it to their friends or neighbours to come forward and help us get the evidence we need to secure a conviction.”

Both men are described as black, in their late teens, around 6ft and of thin build. One was wearing grey clothing and the other man had dark clothing on. Both of them had their hoods up.

If you can help police with their enquiries, call Dc Hannah Martin at Ipswich CID on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

- A 17-year-old man from Ipswich was arrested on suspicion of attempted robbery and has been bailed to return to Ipswich Police station on December 4.

- How you can help give the victim a boost:

If you would like to donate any well wishes or gifts to this lady, you can do it through The Evening Star. Write to the Newsdesk, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk - please make it clear on the envelope or e-mail subject line that this is a message for the robbery victim. Or you can send messages to her by text - start your message ESTAR and send it to 84070.