A cash-strapped student woke from a nap on the train to find £100 on her lap following a tearful conversation on the phone with her mother.
Ella Johannessen was stressed about her financial situation and rung her mother to talk about it while on a train from Peterborough to Leeds.
During the phone call Ella was upset that £35 she thought had been sent to her by bank transfer appeared to have vanished.
When she woke up she found that cash had been left under a napkin on her lap by a kind stranger and began to cry at the gesture.
Ella Johannessen (pictured left) was stressed about her financial situation and rung her mother to talk about it while on a train from Peterborough to Leeds
Ella, who graduated from Leeds Beckett University last year, posted her experience on Facebook in a bid to thank the Good Samaritan.
She wrote on Saturday: ‘I was on the Virgin East Coast train from London King’s Cross to Leeds, on the 27th Jan I got on a Peterborough at 14.52.
‘I found a seat and rang my mum. I was rather stressed and upset over my financial situation and was trying to locate what had happened to £35 that had been sent over to over a bank transfer.
Ella posted about her experience on Facebook in a bid to thank the Good Samaritan who left her the money
‘I spoke to her about how little money I had, how worried I was about my finances and I got upset.
‘After speaking to my mum I hung up the phone and went to sleep.
‘I woke up about half an hour later and noticed a napkin on my lap.
‘Under the napkin was £100. I started to cry – this is because I was incredibly thankful for your kindness to someone you don’t even know.’
She added she had experienced a ‘terrible 18 months’ where her father and both his parents died.
During the phone call Ella was upset that £35 she thought had been sent to her by bank transfer appeared to have vanished to
Ella added: ‘It showed me that there is kindness and good people in the world.
‘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.’
The post has been shared around 5,100 times with many commenting on the touching nature of Ella’s tale.
Kathy Brown said: ‘Restores your faith in humanity Ella’
Ms Johannessen (pictured) said she hoped others would be inspired into acts of kindness after her post was shared more than 5,100 times
While Amber Johnson posted: ‘My god bless the person that did this for you may they receive good karma back’
Ella Gregg added: ‘This is so moving and amazing Ella! Hope you’re okay’
Andy Gutkowski said: ‘Absolutely amazing, just goes to show there’s always a kind hearted person out there ready to help. I hope you find them, although I suspect they are happy to remain anonymous and know they’ve made your day!! Xx’
Dawn Smith said: ‘Amazing. How generous of the mystery good Samaritan. Hope you’re feeling better xx’
Susan Saldanha shared: ‘Couldn’t have happened to a nicer person Ella. There are good people in this world.’