A waitress at a restaurant in the US state of Michigan has received a tip of over US$2,000 (€1,784).

Danielle Franzoni was working at the Thunder Bay River Restaurant in the small city of Alpena on New Year's Eve.

The bill came to just over US$23.00 (€20.52) - but the customers left a tip of '2020': US$2,020 (€1,802).

A note on the cheque read: 'Danielle Happy New Year. 2020 Tip Challenge'.

Franzoni is a single mother and recovering drug addict.

She said she could not believe the number - but her manager assured her the tip was legitimate.

A close-up of the receipt | Image: Julie Riddle/AP/Press Association Images

She said she was living in a homeless shelter a year ago.

Franzoni plans to use the money to re-instate her driver's license and build savings.

She told NBC: "I don't even have the exact words.

"I feel like I want to say everything from my heart, but this couple has no idea what they have done for my family."

"They don't know anything of me - I've never had but just small-talk conversation with them - and they've changed my life, completely."

"From where I used to be and the choices I made in life, this doesn't happen to someone like me".

The so-called 'Tip Challenge' encourages customers to leave a 100% gratuity.