Derry-based YouTube star Adam Beales surprised 20 local families with gifts this week as part of a giveaway to deserving families during the lockdown.
Modern digital media has transformed the way that young people access entertainment today, with TV celebrities rapidly giving way to online personalities on video platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Twitch. Derry-based 20-year-old Adam Beales found his fortune on YouTube, with nearly three million people now subscribing to his channel where he posts prank and challenge videos.
Adam recently made the news when he surprised his parents by buying them a new house using the proceeds from his YouTube channel. In his new video posted yesterday, he handed out £20k worth of gifts to children and their families from an ice cream van.
Adam asked his followers to nominate families who they thought deserved a treat right now, and received thousands of responses. After looking through the list with his family, he selected 20 families to receive gifts ranging from toys and cameras to a car for one family who had lost a loved one back in April.
"Some people got lots of nominations who, most obviously, deserved a gift," explained Adam. "Others I chose because they stuck out to me personally." The recipients range from people who have raised funds for charities and young people starting their own YouTube channels or businesses to those dealing with family losses or recovering from illness.
"You don't have to spend money to be kind," said Adam, adding "This video was a special one because I was able to give back, but you don't need to go to those lengths to be a nice person. Be the reason why someone smiles today. You won't regret it."
Source: Written based on press release, YouTube
