Ana Bristowe-Lamb receives generous donations from community after attack

If Ana Bristowe-Lamb ever came face-to-face with the teenagers who allegedly broke into her home and attacked her with a crowbar, she would do one thing: hug them. Read why.

IF Ana Bristowe-Lamb ever came face-to-face with the teenagers who allegedly broke into her home and attacked her with a crowbar, she would do one thing: hug them.

The extraordinary 80-year-old felt total empathy for the three juveniles arrested over the incident at her West End house on March 19, which left her with six stitches and severe bruising to her face.

While her bruises linger, Ms Bristowe-Lamb was mentally strong, saying she wasn’t going to let the event define her.

“I’ve just got to go out there and face the world … and try to do my best picking up the pieces and going on without being inhibited by the experience,” she said.

Ana Bristowe-Lamb a few days after the assault. Picture: Caitlan Charles

Speaking with the Bulletin from her home, where motivational quotes and messages are pinned up across the walls, Ms Bristowe-Lamb weighed in on her recovery and her feelings towards her alleged attackers.

They allegedly broke in to her Stagpole St house and one struck her with a crowbar across the head when she opened her ajar front door about 2am last weekend.

After she was struck by the crowbar, they showed compassion by fetching her mobile phone to call an ambulance, crouching in front of her to speak and seeing if she needed water.

“So all these things indicate to me that somewhere tucked in there under their bravado and actions, that there is a sensitive spot in them that needs to be brought out and needs to be developed.”

Ms Bristowe-Lamb said, given the opportunity, she would sit down with the children, ask them what their dreams were, their goals, and why they were going down the wrong path.

It was this state of mind, and the horrific nature of the attack, which struck a chord with many community members who banded together and donated more than $500 in flowers, treats and vouchers to help the elderly “angel” pull through.

Ana Bristowe-Lamb with Julianne Wood a few days after the assault. Picture: Caitlan Charles

Take Back Townsville founder and anti-crime advocate Julianne Wood dropped off the extravagant hampers and flowers to Ms Bristowe-Lamb on Friday afternoon, met with hugs and thanks.

“It broke my heart … we have so many victims of crime in Townsville, but with Ana, it really touched me,” Ms Wood said.

“In my eyes she is an angel.”

Ms Bristowe-Lamb said she was overwhelmed by the support, and wanted more to be done to support young people.

“It’s a community problem. And I think we should start really with the way children are brought up in their homes.

“And I think young people also need to be taught how to respect themselves and feel proud of who they are, not what they are doing, which is totally wrong.”

Originally published as Ana Bristowe-Lamb receives generous donations from community after attack