Mystery of Blackhall Colliery cash bundles solved as good Samaritan who hid money around village explains acts of kindness

The mystery of how packages of cash amounting to £26,000 came to be hidden around has been solved.
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Two Good Samaritans have owned up to placing the bundles of notes around Blackhall Colliery after Durham Constabulary appealed for help to solve the riddle of who was behind the gesture.

Both had recently received unexpected windfalls and told police they wanted to give something back, so left packets holding £2,000 in notes at locations around the village.

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One of them told detectives they felt an “emotional connection” to the village after being helped by one of the residents and wanted to repay the kindness she received.

Thirteen packages, each containing £2,000, were left around Blackhall Colliery by the mystery pair. Photo by Tom Wilkinson/PA Wire.Thirteen packages, each containing £2,000, were left around Blackhall Colliery by the mystery pair. Photo by Tom Wilkinson/PA Wire.
Thirteen packages, each containing £2,000, were left around Blackhall Colliery by the mystery pair. Photo by Tom Wilkinson/PA Wire.

Since 2014, they have repeatedly visited to leave behind bundles of bank notes, with £26,000 handed in over the last six years.

In many cases, they deliberately left money where it would be found by people in need, including pensioners and people who had fallen on hard times.

They would often wait around to make sure the cash had been picked up but have never sought any thanks for their donations.

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Durham Constabulary asked for help to track down the unknown benefactors who left cash gifts around Blackhall Colliery.Durham Constabulary asked for help to track down the unknown benefactors who left cash gifts around Blackhall Colliery.
Durham Constabulary asked for help to track down the unknown benefactors who left cash gifts around Blackhall Colliery.

Now the kindhearted pair responsible have made themselves known, saying they were glad to help residents, although they have both asked to remain anonymous.

It is not known if the pair will continue to leave the bundles in the future but any that are found and handed in to police will continue to be returned to the finder.

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Detective Constable John Forster, of Peterlee CID, said: “I’m really pleased we have an answer to this mystery and am glad we can now definitively rule out the money being linked to any crime or a vulnerable person.

Detective Constable John Forster, of Durham Constabulary, with one of the cash bundles found in the village.Detective Constable John Forster, of Durham Constabulary, with one of the cash bundles found in the village.
Detective Constable John Forster, of Durham Constabulary, with one of the cash bundles found in the village.

“I would like to thank the Good Samaritans for getting in touch and also to the honest residents of Blackhall who have continued to hand the money in.

“We would encourage anyone who may find another bundle to continue to hand it in. All the previous bundles have been returned to the finder.”