Woman raises more than £225k for homeless man who gave her his last $20

A HOMELESS man who selflessly handed a woman his twenty dollars has been rewarded by an online crowdfunder that's raised more than $300,000 (£225,000).
Kate McClure set up a fundraiser for Mr Bobbitt (left). Picture: APKate McClure set up a fundraiser for Mr Bobbitt (left). Picture: AP
Kate McClure set up a fundraiser for Mr Bobbitt (left). Picture: AP

When Kate McClure ran out of petrol on a Philadelphia highway last month, she didn’t bank on the kindness of a homeless person to help her out, but that’s precisely what happened.

Offering to walk to the nearest petrol station, homeless man Johnny Bobbitt Jr. used up the last of his own money to help Kate get on her way.

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An extremely grateful Ms McClure, who was out of cash at the time of the vehicle breakdown, made a point of returning to see Mr Bobbitt several times, bringing with her clothes and food.

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“One day I stopped to see him and had a few things in a bag to give him, one of which was a box of cereal bars so he could have something that he could carry around and eat,” she said.

“He was very appreciative as usual and the first thing he said was “do you want one?

“Another time I dropped off 2 gift cards and a case of water ... the first words that came out of his mouth were ‘I can’t wait to show the guys’ (there are two others he hangs out with and they all take care of each other).”

So touched was Ms McClure by Johnny’s generosity, she decided to start up a GoFundMe page in a bid to help give him a fresh start.

“I wish that I could do more for this selfless man, who went out of his way just to help me that day,” wrote Kate on the GoFundMe site.

“I believe that with a place to be able to clean up every night and get a good night’s sleep, his life can get back to normal,” she added. “Truly believe that all Johnny needs is one little break.”

To date the GoFundMe page has managed to raise a life-changing $300,000 from 10,400 individuals.

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