Stuck in a difficult situation, former Colorado State defensive lineman Eli Edwards had nowhere to turn.

Nearly a week had passed since Edwards lost his wife, Isa, following an ongoing battle with lupus and without cash to fly back to the United States from New Zealand where she was receiving treatment, Edwards and his daughter, Ellyse, were stuck overseas with no means to hold a funeral.

a group of Edwards’ friends started a GoFundMe account on June 8 and since, $20,000 has been raised to cover airfare and funeral costs.

The biggest donation came from Florida coach Jim McElwain, Edwards’ former coach at Colorado State, The Coloradoan has reported.

Coaches often establish an unbreakable bond with former players and this is another example of helping out in a time of need. Several current Colorado State assistant coaches and former CSU athletic director Jack Graham have also been listed as donors to Edwards’ situation.