A man who reviews console games and posts them on YouTube has been inundated with support after social media site Reddit caught wind of his inability to afford a much-needed new wheelchair van.
Kevin Breitenbach, who goes by the YouTube handle Handheldgamefan89, posted a video a week ago telling his 1300 subscribers that he was struggling money-wise, and desperately needed the van that transports him to be repaired or replaced.
Mr Breitenbach explained that the van's engine had stopped functioning, which meant it was a real hassle for him to get out of the house, do activities or run errands.
Posting the explanation video on YouTube, Mr Breitenbach didn't expect it to get far - saying simply that he hoped it would reach US$5000 ($6940) by August.
However, one of his subscribers spotted the video and immediately posted his story on Reddit, where the online community banded together to blow his request for help out of the water.
His GoFundMe page has been set alight with donations, reaching US$46,153 ($63,000) in a matter of days after his video was posted on Reddit.
As well as the huge financial outpouring, other Redditors offered their help in getting him the repairs he required on his transport van, and set about buying him a new wheelchair.
Others who owned businesses offered him freebies, with multiple offers coming in of complementary food and services.
Mr Breitenbach's sister Desiree Johnson-Herzner said the family was "blown away" and "overjoyed" by the response to her brother's pleas.
"Never did I ever in my wildest dreams think my friends, family and complete strangers would come together and help my brother. We are so grateful for each and every one of you," she said.
"You have touched our lives and help my brother get a safe reliable vehicle and your generosity continues still, even though we've reached our goal and we are way beyond what we thought we would get.
"Thank all of you for restoring my faith in humanity and helping out someone who truly needed it."
Newshub.
