A pair of unemployed Instagram influencers have sparked an online backlash after begging followers to donate to their round the world trip.
German model Catalin Onc and his wife Elena Engelhardt, both in their mid-20s, run the Instagram account 'Another Beautiful Day'.
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Describing themselves as "lovers, travellers, and dream chasers," the pair recently launched a GoFundMe page to try and raise €10,000 ($NZ17276) for an upcoming bike trip from Germany to Africa.
With almost 40,000 followers, the couple may have expected an outpouring of donations, but the fundraiser seems to have had the opposite effect.
Both unemployed, they've copped some serious online flak for expecting others to fund the trip, when they've previously claimed getting a normal job would be "detrimental" to them and their social media presence.
"When you have the impact we do on others' life, getting a job is not an option," Onc wrote in a recent post.
However, he also revealed that despite their social media success, they currently rely on his mother - who reportedly works two jobs - for financial support.
In the description for their GoFundMe page, Onc explains they need funds now to prepare for their trip, as well as for the duration of the bike trip.
"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 travelling is, and it's benefits, or the fact that most news don't match reality," the page reads. "But we're going to show you! Less talking more action."
"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. 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."
But far from fundraising, instead they've garnered some pretty harsh feedback from former fans.
"You want to travel the world on someone else's money and have absolutely zero accountability in your life," one commenter pointed out.
"You don't want to advertise consumerism BUT you want people to send you money that they have earned so that you can travel around the world free of charge?"
Others questioned how the trip would support mental health.
"I like you both a lot and been following your posts for a while now but I just don't really get how this helps people with mental health issues like myself? This just seems like an adventure and a fun trip for you both and it has no significant reason to help anyone else in anyway," said one follower.
Another pointed out the money could go elsewhere.
"Your mum works two jobs to pay for your trip, don't you think that's impacting her mental health?"
So far Onc and Engelhardt haven't responded online to any of the critique, and have raised only €220 of their €10,000 goal.
Newshub.
