James Robertson Detroit

All it takes is a little spark for something to go viral online, and this time, it’s for a great cause. James Robertson from Detroit has been walking 21-miles a day to get to and from work for over a decade, in rain, snow, or shine. This inspired a Michigan college student to launch a crowdfunding campaign to buy him a car. Thanks to the generosity of strangers, the campaign has raised more than $274,000 in just a few days. Robertson begins his day at 8am, catching several buses that take him to a Troy, Michigan mall – buses don’t cover the entire 23-mile route – before he walks to Schain Mold & Engineering, where he begins his 2pm – 10pm shift. He’s been making the same commute to the plant since 2005, when his 1988 Honda Accord broke down for good. Continue reading for an updated news report and the Gofundme page.

After leaving work after 10 pm, he walks 7-miles back to the mall, where he catches the last bus of the day, just before 1 am, taking it to the State Fairgrounds on Woodward, just south of the infamous 8 Mile. From there, he walks about 5-miles back home through a sketchy part of town. Robertson says: “I have to go through Highland Park, and you never know what you’re going to run into. It’s pretty dangerous. Really, it is, from 8 Mile on down. They’re not the type of people you want to run into. But I’ve never had any trouble.” By the time he gets home at 4 am, it’s only a few hours of shuteye before it all starts again. Fortunately, now he will have enough money to buy a brand new car and then some. Gofundme page.

Author

A technology, gadget and video game enthusiast that loves covering the latest industry news. Favorite trade show? Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.