A man dying of cancer who had his £3,000 funeral savings stolen has said he is "overwhelmed" at the reaction from kind-hearted strangers.

A fundraiser set up to support Ramsgate resident Terry Price has gone viral, with hundreds of people flooding the campaign with donations.

The 66-year-old had spent the last four years saving money as he "doesn't want anyone to be burdened with" having to meet cost of his funeral and wake.

However, after leaving to go shopping for just 45 minutes, he returned home to find his house ransacked, and his savings cleaned out.

I came in and noticed stuff disturbed around my table and as soon as I looked underneath the bed I saw my tin had gone," he told KentOnline.

"They cleaned me right out and left me with nothing.

"I just broke down because it was my funeral money, my wake money, and Christmas presents for the kids."

Since the devastating incident, a fundraiser was set up by his neighbour Zoe to try and replace the stolen £3,010.

In the space of three days from Thursday, the fundraiser has jumped from £185 to an incredible £8,300 from almost 400 donations.

On hearing the figure, Mr Price said: "My word! It's gone berserk!

"It certainly gives me more faith in the public than the police or courts," he said, adding that the reaction of the community had eased his pain somewhat.

"It makes me feel a bit better, I went shopping with Zoe yesterday and another customer came up to me to say he was sorry to hear what happened.

"I didn't know him from Adam so I was very much surprised – and to hear how this has been going is even more of a shock."

The Leopold Street resident says that he will donate a portion of the money to a cause very close to his heart.

"I would like to donate some to an old animal sanctuary, one that looks after elderly dogs that will never be rehomed," he said.

"My dog Mo is 11 now and nobody will want to rehome him, so it's very important to me that these charities are looked after.

"I would just like to say thank you so much to everyone who has donated, I really truly appreciate it."

• To donate to the JustGiving appeal, click here

A police spokesman has confirmed detectives have launched an investigation into the burglary, which took place between 2.30pm on 3.10pm on November 12.

"It is reported the property was broken into and a large amount of cash was stolen," the official said.

"Enquiries into the incident are ongoing."

Anyone with information should call 01843 222289, quoting the crime reference number 46/218728/22.

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.