Ella Johannessen, a 23-year-old student, has been going through some very tough times.
Like many college grads, Ella has been under an immense amount of financial stress. Over the past 18 months, she's been constantly worried about money and having enough to keep herself fed.
Not only that, but her father recently passed away, as did both of his parents.
In January 2018, Ella was on the train from Peterborough to Leeds in the UK. It was a particularly stressful day, so she found her seat and called her mom for support.
During their tearful phone conversation, Ella expressed how strapped for cash she had become and was desperate to find $50 that had been misplaced.
Ella got off the phone and decided to take a nap.
30 minutes later, she awoke on the train and saw something sitting on her lap that made her break down in tears…
Ella Johannessen recently graduated from Leeds Beckett University.
Things have been rough for the 23-year-old college grad.
Ella had experienced a "terrible 18 months" during which her father and both of his parents died.
She was also facing financial woes and was constantly stressed over money.
On January 27, 2018, Ella took the Virgin East Coast train from Peterborough to Leeds in the UK.
It was a particularly stressful day, so she found herself a seat and rang her mom, hoping for some advice and support.
Ella couldn't find the $50 that had been sent to her by bank transfer; she needed the cash more than ever.
She told her mom how little money she had and the sound of her mom's voice only made her feel more emotional.
After speaking with her mom for a few minutes, Ella hung and took a nap.
30 minutes later, she awoke to an unexpected surprise.
The young woman noticed a mysterious white napkin on her lap that wasn't there before she fell asleep.
Under the napkin was £100, or roughly $140 US dollars.
Ella instantly started to cry.
A fellow passenger overheard her desperate phone call and selflessly placed the cash on her lap while she napped, but she had no clue who it was.
Ella posted her story on Facebook hoping to track down the kind stranger.
"I was incredibly thankful for your kindness to someone you don't even know," she wrote.
Ella's Facebook post went viral and was shared more than 6,500 times.
Soon, strangers across the world were trying to help connect her to the good samaritan.
Readers have even likened this mysterious stranger to a guardian angel.
"Could people please share this post?" Ella asked.
"I will pass your kindness on.
I want to say thank you to the person who gave me this gift, I hope you will eventually see this."
