A 100-year-old war veteran who had cash and bank details stolen from his home has thanked people who have helped raise more than £20,000 on an online fundraising page for him.

Former WW2 RAF flying boats pilot Len Parry was out as burglars raided his home in Skipton.

He says he was attending an appointment at Bradford Royal Infirmary on February 4 when a safe was taken from his home.

Mr Parry said he had around £3,000 in the safe which he had for emergencies and when he wanted to give the grandchildren cash for their birthdays and such like.

His story was first featured in the Bradford Telegraph & Argus and his plight clearly touched people.

Broadcaster Piers Morgan pledged £1,000 himself to Mr Parry’s fund.

An online fundraising page was set up to recoup the cash in Mr Parry’s safe and the total has easily been smashed. It stands at more than £20,000 at time of writing.

Mr Parry appeared on today’s Good Morning Britain to thank the public, adding he will give much of the money raised to charity. The fund was at £17,000 when he appeared on the programme at just before 9am, but had increased by £3,000 within half an hour.

He said: “I like to keep a bit of money.

“The money raise is a bit embarrassing to be truthful.

“It’s a wonderful gesture for people to contribute all this amount of money. I very much appreciate what is going on at the moment.

“A lot of it (the money) will go to charity and the family will get together to decide what to do with it all.”

Go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/len-parry-yp to make a donation.