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Stranger helps Uber driver raise money to watch son compete in Rio Olympics

Liz Willock learned a lot about Uber driver Ellis Hill during their nearly hour long drive July 26 to Philadelphia.

She found out the retired bus driver's son Darrell is an Olympic shot put competitor. He is representing Team USA in Rio de Janeiro.

But Ellis was not able to afford to go and watch his son compete.

Willock, who works for a global concierge company with contacts all over including Brazil, decided to take Hill's story to crowd source funding and social media to try and raise the $7,500. The goal was met within two days, according to People magazine.

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"Many times, I really wanted to be with him on other meets that he was at, you know, and had to apologize for one reason or another, and this is actually what he's been working toward for a long time," Hill told WCAU. "It's going to be extremely awesome for me to experience this."

Uber Philadelphia is also giving Hill $1,250 in credit for free rides so he can get around Rio, according to WCAU.

"There has been so much sadness and violence in the news lately and this really restored my faith in humanity," Willock told People. "We had over 150 people contribute and I think Ellis knew maybe 10 of them. The rest were strangers."

Darrell competes Aug. 18.