Homeless man who turned in $2K refuses fundraising cash

A homeless man who turned in a suitcase stuffed with money he found on astreet in a Victoria-area suburbwon't accept the thousands of dollars that has been raised for him.

An online fundraiser was started after word spread of the Langford man's honesty. He had handed in the suitcase containing $2,000 because, he told RCMP, "it was the right thing to do."

• Homeless man turns in $2K found on streetin Victoria-area suburb

One West Shore RCMP officer was so impressed with the man's story thathe spent several hours off-shift trying to trace him.

"It's not easy tracking down a person of no fixed address and no phone, but I kept trying because I needed to tell him about how the community had rallied together to help him," Const. Alex Brub said in a statement released by RCMPon Thursday.

But Brub was to be surprised again when he eventually caught up with the homeless man in his 60s (who does not wish to be named) and told him more than $5,000 had been raised for him.

"He asked me how to donate it to Our Place and other food service providers for people in need."

$2K returned after found in suitcase

Police asked the man to sleep on it, but the next day,he confirmed in writing his desire for the funds to be donated, insisting to RCMP officers that all he wants is a job.

Mike Kelly of online publication Victoria Buzz was behind the original fundraiser, and has agreed to ensure the funds are diverted as per the homeless man's request, as well as try tohelp him in his search for work.

"Here is a man who is facing many challenges, yet despite that, he chose to do the right thing," Kelly said in a statement.

"Now I'm going to do everything I can to help find him a job that fits his personal situation, and will hopefully move him closer to overcoming his current challenges."

RCMP also confirmed Thursday that the owner of the money found by the man has been identified, and the $2,000 has been returned.