In late October, 85 year-old John Cardel Watson, who lives on his own, was tending to the front garden of his home in Albany.

While he was gardening, he was approached and attacked; his head was stomped on and he was punched and kicked repeatedly, leaving him with serious head injuries.

Mr Watson was rushed to Albany hospital and then flown to Royal Perth hospital in a coma with bleeding to the brain.

Hospital staff, at one point, feared he wouldn't survive the night.

When news of the attack made media headlines, it caught the attention of inmates at Albany's regional prison, a maximum security facility.

Prison recreation officer David Fletcher recalls speaking about the incident with a group of inmates as they sat in the prison's canteen.

"The group of men thought the attack was a really terrible thing.

"A couple of the blokes even said they knew of the old man from their neighbourhood. They were pretty shocked."

Mr Fletcher says the men wanted to do something to help.

"Everyone agreed that something had to be done for the man and his family which led to what we ended up doing."

Following that conversation, Mr Fletcher says he and the group of inmates started a fundraising drive, convincing prisoners to give up some of the money they earned on the prison's work program for Mr Watson and his family.

"There was a fantastic response and people were very generous. They were giving up their own money for someone they didn't know which was great.

"We were able to raise quite a bit."

On Wednesday, John Watson's daughter Anne met with a representative from the prison and accepted a cheque for $550.

Mr Watson's son Mark says the family was devastated when the attack happened to their father.

"We were so angry.

"It made us think, how could someone do this to a vulnerable man?"

Mark Watson says the family has been touched by the prisoners' act of kindness.

"I was really pleased when I was told about it. It was surprising but it does show that people do care.

"It doesn't matter what you might have done in the past but you still care and I think that's the bottom line, really.

"This has given us hope, you know?"

Mark says he thinks his father will be happy to hear about the gift.

"We haven't been able to tell dad yet because he's very confused, and still doesn't know what happened to him.

'He's still in a bad way, he's only just remembering family names but when we get to tell him about this, I know he will be pleased."

The family says they will use the money for family members to travel between the Great Southern and Perth to care for Mr Watson.

Mr Watson remains in hospital as he slowly recovers from his injuries.

25 year old Shannon Sean Colbung has been charged with aggravated grievous bodily harm in relation to the incident.

Mr Colbung is being held in custody at Albany regional prison awaiting his next appearance in court.