Australian YouTuber and illustrator Campbell Walker, widely known as Struthless, recently turned to his audience for help after revealing he was in deep financial trouble. The response was staggering — more than 200,000 dollars poured in from fans who wanted to support him through what he described as a crisis.
In a heartfelt video titled “I’m drowning in debt and I need a lifeline,” Walker explained that he had fallen into serious debt after a contract went wrong. According to him, the total amounted to 135,000 US dollars. While he didn’t share all the details at the time, he said he would explain more in a follow-up video.
“I thought I was good with money and contracts, but clearly I wasn’t,” he admitted in the video. “Please read your contracts.”
The fundraiser that followed was launched through GoFundMe and quickly surpassed its goal, reaching over 200,000 dollars. The video and the fundraiser have since been taken down.
But as days turned into weeks, questions started surfacing. Fans began asking for more clarity about what exactly happened, and why the situation was so urgent. Some even wondered if they had been left in the dark after giving their support so freely.
In a comment reply to a viewer two weeks ago, Walker explained that he had been advised not to release another video yet. “Until my situation is solved, a video will make my situation worse,” he wrote.
He has not provided any further public updates since, and multiple attempts by the media to get a response have gone unanswered.
The internet’s reaction has been mixed. Many loyal fans defended him, saying his content over the years has helped them through tough times — especially around mental health, creativity, and self-growth. To them, supporting someone who had given so much was the right thing to do.
One supporter wrote, “Cam has added so much to the world and his community. Helping him during a difficult time is the least we can do.”
Another fan added, “There’s no shame in asking for help. His videos are free and genuinely valuable.”
Still, not everyone felt the same way. Some followers were disappointed that the full story behind the debt was not shared up front. One viewer commented, “As someone who has followed him for years, it’s a bit uncomfortable that this all happened with so little explanation.”
Others pointed to the growing trend of content creators asking for financial help from their audiences. Some critics raised concerns that this could set a risky precedent.
Fellow creator Lufah voiced his disapproval in a video, calling the situation disappointing and mentioning that another YouTuber had recently raised over 150,000 dollars after facing similar financial troubles.
Some fans also felt uneasy about the presentation of the fundraiser, noting that it was written in third person and used a somber photo, which made it feel more like a marketing move than a personal plea.
“There are people who need urgent help right now — families affected by war, children in danger, people who are homeless. It’s hard not to feel conflicted,” one viewer said.
Despite the controversy, one thing is clear. Walker’s fans showed up for him when he needed them. Whether they’ll continue standing by him now depends on what he shares next.
