Instagram influencers lambasted for using GoFundMe to pay for a holiday
Pair say money will be put towards bikes, food and accommodation
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A German couple are facing criticism after launching a GoFundMe page to help finance their holiday.
Catalin Onc and Elena Engelhardt post pictures of their travels to the likes of Indonesia, Italy and New Zealand on Instagram.
The pair’s latest holiday wish was to do a tandem bike ride from Germany to Africa in July. To make their travel dreams a reality, the couple are asking the public to help fundraise more than €10,000 (£8,911).
The couple recently launched a page on the fundraising website under their Instagram handle @Another_beautiful_day_official and asked some of their 34,000 followers to contribute.
“The funds we raise will go towards the bike and gear, food and accommodation (when needed), internet and sim cards in every country to keep you up to date, insurance, emergencies,” a segment of the couple’s GoFundMe page description reads.
“We need funds now for preparation as well as throughout our trip.”
Despite the pair’s intentions, GoFundMe users have lambasted the couple for asking money from the public to fund their holiday.
“Here's an idea – how about you get jobs (like the rest of us) and fund it yourselves? You could even gift some of the money you make to those less fortunate than you..[sic],” commented one user.
Another added: “Disgusting get a job you lazy people. You both should be ashamed. Please no one give these leeches anything.”
“You are the epitome of self-indulgence,” another disgruntled commenter wrote.
“You just want other people to support you, and you offer nothing tangible in return. There are plenty of worthy GoFundMe projects, but yours is simply not one of them.”
In response to the backlash they’ve received from the public, the couple posted a photograph of themselves and warned how people are “quick to judge and speak”.
A excerpt from the caption reads: “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 also said they were “grateful” to Onc's mother in a comment which has since been reportedly deleted.
The removed caption read: “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.”
Rumours of the couple's financial dependency on Onc's mother angered several members of the public.
One GoFundMe user commented: “Lol no Get a job and treat your mum, she shouldn't be funding her grown son to wander the world like a lost boy [sic].”
Another wrote: “You're not impacting anyone's life, you are just a couple of free loaders trying to get holidays for paid for by mugs.
“Stop sponging off your mum (aren't you embarrassed?), stop begging, and stop trying to convince the world that great holidays for you two only somehow improve the world. Get real [sic].”
The couple have so far raised €200 of €10,000 for their trip.
The Independent has contacted Catalin Onc and Elena Engelhardt for comment.
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