Uber driver will see son compete in Rio thanks to passenger
PHILADELPHIA, PA (FOX 11) - An Uber driver in Philadelphia is getting the chance to fly to Rio de Janeiro to see his son compete in the Olympics thanks to a passenger he picked up last month.
Liz Willock met Ellis Hill while traveling to Philadelphia. The retired bus driver who now drives for Uber to make ends meet, talked about his son, Darrell Hill, who qualified to compete for the U.S. Olympic Track and Field team in the shot put event.
According to local media, Willock asked if Hill was going to go to the Olympics, and he said he would like to go, but couldn't afford it.
So Willock said she was going to do everything she could to help him get there, and she set up a GoFundMe page to help raise money to send Ellis to Rio to see his son compete.
She wrote on the page, 'As a proud father, Ellis dream of traveling to Rio to see his son compete. Please help make this American dream come true."
In just over a week, more than 150 generous strangers donated money-- surpassing the goal of $7,500.
Darrell tweeted, "{I} Would like to personally thank everyone who donated to help my Dad get to Rio, we achieved our goal. God is Good."
Willock updated the GoFundMe page to stop accepting donations since the goal was reached and wrote the money would go towards a plane ticket, hotel costs, food and other travel costs for Hill. He will travel to Brazil August 15th-19th.
The shot put event is on August 18th.
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