Mugged pensioner Alan Barnes moving to Shetlands 'after calling from God'
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”.
Committed Christian Alan Barnes has only lived in his home in Low Fell, Gateshead, England since April, after an online fund set up for him reached £330,000 within days of him being attacked.
The 67-year-old six-stone OAP was knocked to the floor outside his old home by a mugger, breaking his collar bone in January.
He felt too insecure to move back to his old property and a new home was bought.
Now he wants to work for the Church and plans to move to Shetland, despite never having been there before.
Speaking from his home, which is now up for sale, 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.”
If he had not been partially sighted, he would have liked to have been a church minister, he said.
His role will not to try to make people go to church, but to talk to them about his faith, he said.
Once he has sold up, he plans to rent a home in the Shetlands.
His home is on the market for £155,000.
Beautician Katie Cutler, who started the fund off for Mr Barnes, has been honoured with the British Empire Medal and has set up a foundation to support other good causes.
