A grieving woman was stunned to be given an envelope full of cash by a complete stranger.

Emma Kate was waiting outside Asda in Gillingham with her mother when a man called John approached them and said "here you go, love".

He then handed Emma's mother an envelope with "open me" written on the front, before walking away.

When the pair peered inside, they were shocked to find £50 in cash and a note reading: "This is a random act of kindness. Doesn't need to be repaid but carry on an act of kindness. This was mine. What is yours? John."

Relaying the extraordinary story on Facebook, Emma said: "I never got to see the face of this man as I didn't look round to look at him until my mum had opened the envelope and by this time this lovely man was already half way across the car park.

"Now John I don't know who you are or where you are from or why you even did such a generous thing, but little did you know that the woman you gave this envelope to (my mother) had just recently lost and buried her son, (my dear brother) and we were actually discussing ways we will get the money together to pay for the last bit of the funeral.

"Little did you know John that you touched the heart of my mum with your random act of kindness when the last couple of weeks have been her darkest!

"I sincerely thank you so so much and I would love for you to be able to see this....to see how it was so much more than 'a random act of kindness'."

The heartwarming post has since been shared more than 80,000 times - and led to Emma tracking down the mystery benefactor.

Emma said: "It was so random but so lovely. Should have seen my mum, bless her.

"I can't quite believe how it's gone though to be honest. Call me naive but I just thought I'd get a couple of shares, never thought the amount it has gotten!"

She later added: "Thank you everyone so much for all the comments, the likes and the shares.

"I have found John at last. Still so so touched by everyone's kindness. Makes you realise the world isn't all bad after all."