Watch: YouTube star raises $11 million for charity after 12 days of living in glass box in Dubai

YouTube star AboFlah raised a whopping $11 million (Dh40.4 million) after 12 days of living in a glass box at Burj Park in Downtown Dubai to bring warmth to over 110,000 families in the region this winter.

AboFlah walked free from his glass box to a cheering crowd in a grand celebration on Wednesday midnight in Downtown Dubai, where he has been locked up since January 7, after exceeding his initial $10 million (Dh36.7 million) goal that aimed to support 100,000 families as part of the UAE’s Warm Winter initiative, held under the 2nd edition of World’s Coolest Winter campaign.

Livestreaming his experience to over 23.7 million YouTube subscribers, AboFlah succeeded in attracting 154,789 donors from all over the world to raise $11 million that will help provide food, winter clothing, blankets, mattresses and critical aid to 110,461 refugee families in Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon and vulnerable individuals in Syria and Egypt.

“We have learned that nothing is impossible, especially in the UAE,” said AboFlah who broke two world records as part of the initiative for the longest live-stream video, which lasted 268 hours, 14 minutes and 20 seconds, and for the most viewers for a livestream charity donation on YouTube with over 689,000 concurrent views. The initiative garnered a total of 163 million views on YouTube.

AboFlah's multiple victories were a subject of celebration broadcasted on Burj Khalifa and cheered on by hundreds of attendees at Burj Park in Downtown Dubai and thousands of online viewers. He beat the current longest live-stream (video), at 259 hours, 46 minutes and 45 seconds, which is held by Chongqing Changan Automobile Co in China.

There is no record holder for the most viewers watching a livestream charity donation, but the minimum requirement is 300,000 concurrent views. AboFlah’s efforts will lead to new records in both fields after they have been independently verified.

“I always say there’s a lot of good in this world, and today proves exactly that. Humanitarian work brings us closer and brings out the best in all of us. I’m very humbled. Together, we lift each other up,” said the YouTuber, who’s been calling the UAE home since last month.

In a previous interview with Khaleej Times, AboFlah, whose real name is Hassan Suleiman, said he had expected to stay locked for 2-3 weeks until he raises the targeted amount.

Vowing to remain until he reaches his target, he noted that the kind gestures of onlookers and passersby and the support of the millions of his subscribers provided him with the energy to keep going.

Flood of donations

The Warm Winter initiative, launched by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives in collaboration with Galaxy Racer, attracted donations from people from all over the world, alongside prominent UAE businessmen, social groups and charity organizations.

sherouk@khaleejtimes.com