Just over a week after a single mother put up $50 and challenged others to help support a desperate mother of three whose application for financial assistance was turned down, close to $1,000 in cash has been raised.

The story published on October 16 generated 117 comments on The Royal Gazette website, some empathising with the woman’s plight, others were highly critical.

Although there were pledges made up to $1,300, at the end of the weeklong drive $900 in cash had been donated. The funds were presented at The Royal Gazette yesterday.

“I’m still sending out my résumés and following up with calls,” she said.

“I was disappointed by some of the blogs posted once the story was published and that’s why I made it a point of saying that my two oldest sons are enrolled at Bermuda College.”

But she said she was moved to tears by some of the compassionate posts online as a result of her story.

“I’m truly grateful for this donation, it helps. But I’m still looking for a job, that’s what I really need.

“I’m grateful for all the help that I have gotten along the way. Every bit helps because my savings have long been all gone.”

In an e-mail sent after the call for support triggered donations she thanked members of the community.

“Hopefully I will secure gainful employment soon, which was the sole purpose of my interview and to speak about the struggles that many unemployed persons like myself are faced with daily.

“I am a very private person but it has taken a lot for me to do this interview because I don’t ask anyone for anything,” she said. “I have always worked hard and lived a self sufficient life taking care of my family and responsibilities — values that I instil in my sons every day.

“Additionally, I want to say thank you to the people of Bermuda who have made donations towards my plight to support me during this very stressful time in my life.

“I am very appreciative of their generosity and at the end of all of this my hope is that I will be employed and so will others in my position.”