21 June, 2019

Folau Asks The Public To Pitch In $3M For His Legal Fees, Plus Other Ludicrous Crowdfunding Campaigns

By B&T Magazine

Embattled rugby star Israel Folau has started a GoFundMe page, asking the public to pitch in for his impending legal battle with Rugby Australia.

In case you missed it, Rugby Australia ripped up Folau’s multimillion-dollar contract last month, ruling Folau was guilty of a high-level breach of the players’ code in a series of controversial Instagram and Twitter posts which claimed hell awaited “drunks, homosexuals, adulterers” and others.

It followed similar social media posts made last year.

Folau is fighting the decision in court, and now he’s asking the public to help out.

“Every Australian should be able to practise their religion without fear of discrimination in the workplace,” Folau says in a video on the GoFundMe page.

“Rugby Australia has an army of lawyers at their disposal and they have already said they will divert significant resources to fight me in court.

“The cost to me and my family of continuing my legal action against Rugby Australia is expected to be significant.”

At the time of publication, the fund had already received over $144K.

Despite gaining plenty of cash, Folau is copping his fair share of hate on social media.

For goodness sake, if you feel the need to help someone with your coin, how about making it someone in genuine need rather than a footballer moaning that he can't make hate speech while in receipt of a $4 million dollar contract. #IsraelFolau https://t.co/qfD1Zm6rNX

— Jackie McMillan (@MissDissentEats) June 20, 2019

And while Folau will no doubt continue to cop plenty of backlash for his decision to start the GoFundMe page, it’s probably not the worst crowdfunding effort the internet has given us.

Take, for instance, Catalin Onc and Elena Engelhardt, the Instagram couple that asked their followers to fund their tandem bike ride from Germany to Africa.

To make matters worse, the pair openly admit they are funded by Onc’s mother and that they have no plans to get a job any time soon.

View this post on Instagram

We could write a long text about mental health or global warming. We could tell you about following your dreams, or how important stepping out of your comfort zone is. We could tell you how beautiful traveling is, and it’s benefits, or the fact that most news don’t match reality. But we’re going to show you! Less talking more action. Starting on the 20th of July in the middle of Germany, on a tandem, me and Eli will cycle towards Africa, and hopefully beyond. We want to take you all on this huge adventure. A celebration of life, as we ride freely across mountains, by the sea and through metropolitans. We will show the beauty of this planet and it’s inhabitants, but also the ugliness. But we can not do this on our own. We need you! 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. We need funds now for preparation as well as throughout our trip. Every dollar, every message, every couch or garden for our tent, any help you can offer will help us go further. We hope you all enjoy and learn with us. TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE another beautiful day with love Cat and Eli Link in bio Or paypal Abd_cat@hotmail.com

A post shared by CAT AND ELENA (@another_beautiful_day_official) on Jun 9, 2019 at 3:54am PDT

Or there is rapper and apparently adamant flat-earther B.o.B, who set up a GoFundMe in 2017 asking for $1 million to “launch one, if not multiple, satellites into space,” toward the goal of “finding the curve”.

The cities in the background are approx. 16miles apart… where is the curve ? please explain this pic.twitter.com/YCJVBdOWX7

— B.o.B (@bobatl) January 25, 2016

And then there is Frank Pain, the Foo Fighters megafan who asked the internet to give him $35,000 so he could buy Dave Grohl.

“I’m his biggest fan and figured I can round up enough scratch to purchase him so we can hang out and high five and s**t. Heck, I may give him a bro-hug or two as well,” he said on his GoFundMe, which has raised $1,854.

And finally, there was this woman from New York, who in 2016 asked for money to remove the 420 tattoo she got on her forehead.

tabitha-west

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