An Instagram influencer admitted his mum works two jobs to fund his lavish lifestyle and has started a GoFundMe page to pay for his next holiday.
Catalin Onc runs the Instagram account Another Beautiful Day with his wife Elena Engelhardt, where they post pictures from their travels around the globe.
In recent months they’ve shared snaps from Bali, Paris, Nepal and Copenhagen and in July they’re planning to embark on a tandem bike ride from Germany to Africa, however rather than working to pay for their trip they’re relying on the generosity of their 34,000 followers – as well as Catalin’s mother.
They shared their GoFundMe page last week, explaining the money would go towards ‘bike and gear, food and accommodation (when needed), internet and SIM cards in every country to keep you up to date, insurance, emergencies.’
The influencers added:
We need funds now for preparation as well as throughout our trip.
Every dollar, every message, every couch or garden for our tent, any help you can offer will help us go further.
We hope you all enjoy and learn with us.
Having raised €200 (£180) towards the trip in the past week, the pair mentioned how ‘grateful’ they are to Catalin’s mother in a comment which has since been deleted.
They wrote:
At this very moment, my mother is funding us, she works two jobs and has not much herself. We didn’t ask her for money but she loves that she is able to help.
Mum, I want you to know, that it is not only us but hundreds of others that benefit from your help.
Catalin and Elena’s followers were quick to criticise the way they were relying on Catalin’s mum to support them, with one pointing out they should ‘go get a job’.
The pair often advocate for mental health but one follower implied they were being hypocritical for letting Catalin’s mum fund their lifestyle, writing:
Your mom works two jobs to pay for your trip, don’t you think that’s impacting her mental heath?
The influencers responded to the backlash a couple of days later, explaining they are open about accepting money.
Their post read:
This is how I feel when people make money the biggest topic. Having tattoos, a pretty girlfriend and followers on Instagram opens doors for us, it’s true.
We could live a lavish lifestyle and only show that, like most people on social media do. We choose not to.
We have seen how people are around us when we have money and when we don’t. #grateful that we get to see both sides of the spectrum. I wish you all could experience this.
Some people are quick to judge and speak. At this very moment we don’t have much, we are accepting money from my mother and also donations but we don’t hide that. This situation is teaching us a lot.
The couple’s GoFundMe page is still live but only six people have donated in eight days and with just $200 of their $10,000 target raised, they have a lot of donations to get before they can afford the trip…
You could donate to their holiday fund, or y’know, to a charitable cause that desperately needs attention and funding – but each to their own.
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Emily Brown first began delivering important news stories aged just 13, when she launched her career with a paper round. She graduated with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University, and went on to become a freelance writer and blogger. Emily contributed to The Sunday Times Travel Magazine and Student Problems before becoming a journalist at UNILAD, where she works on breaking news as well as longer form features.