YouTube star’s touching gesture for homeless Qld family

An Australian YouTube star with more than 10 million followers has stepped in to help a Queensland family of eight that has lived in a tent during the current housing crisis.

A prominent social media influencer with more than 10 million followers has started a fundraiser to help a Queensland family of eight that has lived in a tent during the current housing crisis.

Australian YouTube identity Jamie Zhu has launched a GoFundMe fundraiser to help Cameron Fletcher, his wife Tameka, and their six children find a home.

Australian YouTube star Jamie Zhu has started a fundraiser for Cameron Fletcher and his family, who are currently homeless. Picture: Jamie Zhu

Mr Fletcher injured his back while working as a machine operator at a mine site near Mackay and for the past seven months has been moving his family around temporary accommodation, while waiting on a workers compensation claim to come through.

“We’ve been living in a camper trailer, moving around from park to park,” Mr Fletcher said.

“We haven’t actually had help from the housing department at all.

“People need to open their eyes. Not everything is rainbows and lollipops, we’re doing it tough.”

He had spent a week living in a tent city in the Redcliffe suburb of Rothwell, which sits inside Premier Steven Miles’ electorate of Murrumba, where increased media attention as well as a visit by Senator Pauline Hanson to give away fish and chips to the homeless, saw his family’s circumstances start to turn around.

“All of a sudden, people are wanting to help, we’re in shock about it,” Mr Fletcher said.

It was during this week that Mr Zhu, who has collectively over 10 million followers across social media platforms, learnt about the Fletcher’s family struggles.

“I make videos online and the theme is we basically investigate certain social issues in society that need to be spoken about,” Mr Zhu said.

“We came across a story about this family of eight living in a tent in Queensland.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to build a community where my followers have actually helped take action on some of the biggest problems in Australia, the world and try to help people out there.

“We thought it’d be a really good chance for us to try and help them out using the platform that I have and the audience that I have that like to take action.”

One Nation leader Senator Pauline Hanson serving free fish and chips and potato scallops to Cameron and Tameka Fletcher with their kids Mason, Arya, Nicholas and Willow. Photo Steve Pohlner

While acknowledging the difficulties of being able to help everyone out, Mr Zhu said he felt compelled to help the family out due to the number of children involved.

“We’ve met the family, we actually went to see the tent the family is living in,” he said.

“They have so many kids to take care of, which kind of paints the picture even further about the predicament that they’re in.

“It’s heartbreaking to see so many families having to live on the streets (and) become homeless just because of issues like affordability and low vacancy rates - it shouldn’t be happening in a country like Australia.”

Jamie Zhu has started a GoFundMe fundraiser for the Queensland family. Picture: Instagram

Initially setting a fundraising goal of $5000 for the family to help them cover food and washing expenses, in five days the fundraiser has raised in excess of $9500.

While the family has in the last few days moved into emergency accommodation on Bribie Island, where they will likely be able to stay for a month, Mr Zhu said he would like to help the family find a home.

“We’re just trying to see how much we can raise,” he said.

“The family are that desperate, they said they would move anywhere, even interstate out of Queensland. They don’t really mind where they just want a roof over their heads for their kids.”

Mr Fletcher said he was grateful for the support he has received from the well-known content creator.

“Our family, we’ve never been one to ask for help. We’ve always worked for what we’ve got so with Jamie reaching out, both Tameka and I got emotional,” he said.

“There’s people out there that are actually wanting to help. It’s like ‘wow’, it’s heartwarming.”

While he has only known Mr Zhu for a matter of days, Mr Fletcher said he has been more helpful than the Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works in recent months.

“He’s actually pushed to get better accommodation for us so that we could actually stay somewhere more than two weeks. The kids need stability and that’s what he is trying to give my children,” he said.

“(The government) has sat there and not contacted us at all until now - it’s been frustrating.”

A Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works spokesman later said that the department has been in contact with the Fletcher family since September.

“The Department has been working with the family since September last year, including providing accommodation which they chose to leave,” the spokesman said.

“As we’ve been assisting them to find longer-term options, they have declined further offers of accommodation.

“With regards to social housing, there are eligibility factors that need to be met, including income thresholds. However, the department continues to work with the family to find a private rental and give any other support they might need.”