A New Jersey woman has helped raise more than $290,000 (£210,000) for a homeless man who spent his last $20 (£15) to help her get home when she became stranded.

Kate McClure was driving to Philadelphia in October when she ran out of fuel and decided to leave her vehicle to walk to the nearest petrol station.

“My heart was beating out of my chest,” she explained. “I pulled over as far as I could, and got out of the car to head to the nearest gas station. That’s when I met Johnny.”

Johnny Bobbitt Jr has been living on the streets of Pennsylvania’s largest city for the past 18 months and spends every day sitting on the side of the road holding a sign asking strangers for help.

“He saw me pull over and knew something was wrong,” Ms McClure recalled. “He told me to get back in the car and lock the doors. A few minutes later, he comes back with a red gas can. Using his last $20 to make sure I could get home safe.