Disabled pensioner Alan Barnes moving to Scotland after getting ‘a calling

Now the committed Christian wants leave his new home, work for the Church and plans to move to Shetland – even though he has never been there before.

A DISABLED pensioner who inspired global sympathy after he was mugged is selling his house that was funded by well-wishers and will move to the Shetland Islands after getting a “calling from God”. I’m hoping to do some youth work there.

He said: “I am a Christian and I am open to the Holy Spirit”.

“I have had a calling from God to move to the Shetlands”.

“I have just got a strong feeling that’s where I need to be”.

His attacker, Richard Gatiss, knocked his 4ft 6in victim to the ground, searched him for cash and left him with a broken collarbone.

Alan Barnes, 67, was afraid to return to his old home in Gateshead after he was attacked outside it in January.

The pensioner moved into his home in April, but admitted at the time that he struggled to settle in following the unprecedented level of publicity he encountered.

Katie Cutler started an online GoFundMe page with a target of raising £500 but the final total rose to more than £300,000 after donations were made by people from all over the world.

“Whenever anyone stops and talks to me all they ask is how am I settling in”, he said. If the house sells quick I’ll just rent somewhere.

Beautician Katie Cutler, who started the fund to help Mr Barnes, was awarded the British Empire Medal and has set up a foundation to support other good causes.

Gatiss, of Split Crow Road in Gateshead, was jailed for four years at Newcastle Crown Court after admitting assault with intent to rob.