Homeless man who returned backpack with £26k receives thousands in donations
A homeless man who turned in a lost backpack containing $42,000 (around £26,000) is being rewarded for his honesty after tens of thousands in donations have poured in online.
Glen James, who has been homeless since 2005, was honoured on Monday by Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis with a special citation for handing in the rucksack that contained thousands in cash and travellers cheques.
And one man, Ethan Whittington, from Virginia, was so moved by the man's good deed, that he set up an online fundraising account via gofundme.com to help buy the man a house.
According to the Metro, he wrote: "Let's all chip in and help this man change his life. Every little donation helps. Let's be reassured that there is still hope and humanity in our great nation."
The original target was $50,000 (£31k), but the total soon exceeded that amount, and he raised the target to $250,000 (£157,000). At the time of writing, the total stood at $94,000.
Mr Whittington has talked to Mr James on the phone, and is now trying to work out how to transfer the money to him. And he also reassured those who were worried whether their donation would actually make it to him.
He told NBC News: "I have the best of intentions for Mr. James. I want this to positively influence the rest of his life."
He added that he hopes to either give him the money through a bank account or to go deliver it in person.
"I'd like to go up to Boston amd meet him and give the guy a hug."
And people who have not given cash have offered help on other ways, whether it's free dental work, or a free computer.
Mr Whittington added: "It's unbelievable. It's nothing I ever imagined in my wildest dreams. The sky's the limit when people come together."
According to the Daily Mail, Mr James had worked as a file clerk at the Boston courthouse for 13 years, but lost his job and ended up homeless.
Mr James said he felt "very good" about handing the rucksack in, telling the Metro: "Even if I were desperate for money, I would not have kept even a penny of the money I found,' he said in a statement.
"I am extremely religious – God has always very well looked after me."
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