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A pensioner whose savings for her own funeral were stolen has been given a “surreal” offer of a free funeral.

Glenys Burrows, 92, was asleep when burglars got into her home on Grand Avenue, Ely, Cardiff , and took £10,000 in cash.

She had been saving the money to pay for her own funeral and to give to her family as inheritance.

A community fundraising page has been set up to raise money for Glenys but a funeral directors has also come through with an offer of a free funeral - when the time comes.

Coles Funeral Directors has offered their services for free to arrange and conduct her funeral, which her family hope isn’t for a while yet.

Gareth Coles, owner of the Cardiff company, said they had read her story and were shocked at the “terrible experience” Glenys had been through.

The offer has been put to Glenys who has accepted the help, which is valued at around £2,000.

“I read about Glenys’ ordeal and really felt for her - all her savings and funeral fund stolen.

“We saw that local people had decided to fundraise for Glenys and wanted to contribute in some way. As a local, independent, family-run business, we’re always looking for ways to give back to the Cardiff communities and families we serve, and thought perhaps we could help by offering to cover some of the costs associated with a funeral.

“I’ve spoken to Glenys and offered to waive our professional services fee when the time comes, and we’ve discussed how she can pre-arrange elements if that would give her further peace of mind.”

(Image: UGC MWL)

Son Ken said that the conversation with his mum about organising her funeral was “bizarre” but she was grateful for the help.

“I think it’s a bit of a bizarre idea but it’s a really nice gesture. It was a very strange conversation to have and I joked with her that I haven’t booked the date for her yet.

“I found it a bit strange talking to her about it but at her age it’s important to have those chats.”

Caerphilly florist Nicola Downie also sent a bouquet of flowers to Glenys.

Ken said his mum won’t ever return to her Cardiff home but since the terrifying ordeal her health has improved dramatically.

“She’ll be here forever now, there’s no way I can let her go back there. She is still having flashbacks.”

But he said she is now eating well again and for the first time in a long time is able to walk unaided with crutches.

“She’s a different person. Being here has knocked 10 years off her, whereas the other event added 10 years to her.

“It’s very surreal and strange and I can’t say it’s a good thing that happened to her but now she’s here living with us and doing an awful lot better. She’s a different person”.

To donate to the justgiving page visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/paul-townsend-2 .

Police are continuing to appeal for information about those responsible for the burglary which took place overnight on August 3 and 4.

Anybody with information is urged to contact South Wales Police via 101 or they can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting reference *302355.