Over $180,000 Raised For 56 Year-Old Detroit Man Who Walks 21 Miles A Day To And From Work

February 3, 2015

A 56 year-old Detroit man walks 21 miles a day to get to work and back.

This has been James Robertson's life for the past 10 years after his 1988 Honda Accord quit on him.

Ryan Garza/Detroit Free Press

James works at a factory 23 miles from his home. He takes the bus partway there and home. He walks the rest - a total of 21 miles. And this daily journey has not once ruined his perfect attendance.

It's a tribute to how much he cares about his job. And you won't ever hear him complain.

His path requires him to walk through a few dangerous neighborhoods. Although he says he hasn't experienced too much trouble, he was mugged several years ago.

This is his routine:

Detroit Free Press

So why hasn't James bought a new car to avoid the dangerous streets, and the cold winter winds?

"I haven't had a chance to save for it," he says. His job pays $10.55 an hour - not enough for him to buy, maintain and insure a car in Detroit. But after the story went viral, Evan Leedy - who has never met him - started an online fundraiser to help James get a car. His goal was to raise $5,000.

In just two short days, this happened:

Go Fund Me

I think it's safe to say James Robertson's daily 21 mile walks have officially come to an end.

James and Evan (who started the fundraiser) finally meet.

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