An Internet campaign has come the rescue an 80-year-old man the USA who was reduced to selling firewood the roadside to pay his wife's medical bills. Octogenarian Kenneth Smith spent hours a day selling kindling $5 a bag. He started last year and was then helped his wife of 30 years, Helen, who was dying lung cancer. Tragically, she lost her battle October and Mr Smith was left crippling hospital fees, which wiped his life savings. A local woman, Jessica Pittman, saw Mr Smith and posted a Facebook message urging people to help him. Her post has been shared 9,000 times and motorists have stopped their car to give Mr Smith some cash.
Ms Pittman's kind deed encouraged Mr Smith's son to go a step further and set an online appeal. He created a page the website GoFundMe and donations soon came flooding in all corners the Earth. The online campaign raised $20,000 three days. Ms Pittman told the BBC that she had "no clue" her actions would prompt such generosity. She said: "Although it will not lessen the heartache losing his wife, I am thankful it will least take a little worry of his plate and help him make ends meet." Mr Smith said he has been "overwhelmed" the response. He added that even though his wife wasn't his side, he still feels her presence, "because she's looking down me," he said.
