Uber driver facing being homeless begs people to leave tips in tearful video

An Uber driver facing homelessness has made waves online after begging customers to leave tips in a heartbreaking TikTok video,

Riley Elliot, who hails from Seattle, took to his TikTok page @livefreestudios, and explained to his viewers how difficult it is to be a delivery driving for companies like Uber Eats and DoorDash, especially in the midst of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

In the caption, he wrote: "I’m out here risking my life in a pandemic and no one cares."

"Y’all I wish that people who order Uber Eats or Doordash understood what it’s like to be a driver," he said in the video. Riley explained how he'd only been paid $2.50 for a delivery that took 45 minutes, cost him $3 in parking, and the customer only gave him a $1.50 tip.

"I gotta prove three times rent for income in two weeks and I can’t. It doesn’t matter that I’m working multiple jobs, that I barely sleep, that I can barely afford to feed myself. I’m about to be homeless for the third time since May and it’s all because people don’t tip their delivery drivers. Like, how hard is it to throw us five bucks?''

''If you do not tip your delivery driver there is a very special place in hell for your lazy ass that could not be bothered to get your food. Also these services should require a minimum tip of 15% especially during this time," wrote one Twitter user in response to the video.

At the time of writing, he has over 3.5 million views, and his follower-count has increased to more than 17,500.

Riley has now received donations from all over the world, and per the Seattle Times, it has allowed him and his partner to move into a new home.

In a later video, he thanked donators for their support. In it, he revealed that his favourite soccer team. Seattle Sounders FC made a donation. "It was the greatest day of my life up until now," he stated.

According to the Seattle Times, Riley was incredibly generous with the money recieved. He reportedly gave $12,000 away to others who were also struggling to pay their bills. "My whole body has just been buzzing with positive energy from all of these people. I get choked up because I’ve been bullied my whole life and people actually appreciate how hard I’m trying. It means a lot," he told the publication.