He’s raised more than $200,000 (Picture: REX/Hbomberguy)

YouTube star Hbomberguy has raised a whopping $200,000 (£155,000) for Mermaids, a charity supporting transgender children and teenagers ‘to spite’ Father Ted creator Graham Linehan.

When Mermaids was awarded a fund from the National Lottery, Graham urged people to oppose it, describing the charity as pushing an ‘extreme ideological agenda.’

Enter Hbomberguy – real name Harry Brewis.

The YouTube star, who has a following of more than 300,000, followed in the steps of Dr Lupo and took to Twitch.


Because how else would you raise money other than playing Donkey Kong?

The stream has been continuing for upwards of 40 hours and Harry and his fans have raised more than $200,000 (£155,000) for the charity.



In a video, the streamer explained: ‘I chose to support [Mermaids] because as a person living in Britain, I find the media discussion around this issue to be woefully misinformed, and I’d like to do my bit to help support the people who do the hard work of contributing to people’s thinking on an issue.’

The YouTuber added: ‘I chose Mermaids specifically, because when they were designated some funding via the National Lottery, Graham Linehan, a comedy writer who did some work on a good show 20 years ago, a very normal man who is very angry about trans people all day nowadays, went on Mumsnet and told them to email the National Lottery en masse.

We just hit HOUR FORTY of the stream – we've raised $157,000+ dollars for @Mermaids_Gender just to spite @Glinner! #ThanksGraham https://t.co/AAODyuGF4f — Philosophy Tube (@PhilosophyTube) January 20, 2019

‘Well done, Graham… now, tons of people know about Mermaids, and support them just to spite you!’

Ouch.

Mermaids thanked the YouTube star, writing on Twitter: ‘Thank you to everyone who has donated and supported this amazing spontaneous event Watch @Hbomberguy online now as he tries to finish Donkey Kong 64 and raise TWO HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS for trans kids!’

It comes after fellow Twitch star Dr Lupo raised $1.3 million (£1 million) for a children’s hospital – largely with a huge Fortnite stream.

The 31-year-old – real name Benjamin Lupo – hosted a 24 hour Fortnite stream, titled #BuildAgainstCancer, which allowed fans to control his gameplay.

Who says the internet can’t be used for good?

Got a showbiz story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page - we'd love to hear from you.

MORE: Twitch star Summit1g fears for his life as he receives death threat after overtaking Ninja to hold most subscribed spot

MORE: Twitch star DrLupo used Fortnite and gaming convention to raise $1.3 million for children’s hospital this year