The Big Issue Australia vendor Cameron has become an internet sensation after a Facebook post about his unique idea to celebrate Valentine’s Day went viral.
Filmmaker Lance Smith had a chance encounter with Cameron at his Nobbys Beach pitch on the Australian Gold Coast on 13 February, and shared the details of the meeting on his Facebook page.
Cameron intended to give away 100 roses to passers-by on Valentine’s Day, to spread the love whilst selling the magazine. Moved by Cameron’s touching idea, Lance took his newfound friend to buy the flowers and bought half of them himself.
The post has since been shared over 21,000 times, and liked over 60,000 times.
Hundreds of supporters turned out to support Cameron on the day, with queues forming to meet him, and he sold out of the street paper within an hour.
Take a look at some of the reactions on social media:
The story behind #GoldCoast‘s viral ‘rose man’ https://t.co/Q19RqD7TjV pic.twitter.com/HnD1ByqIdG
— Gold Coast Bulletin (@GCBulletin) February 14, 2018
Some friendly media folks have joined Cameron as he sells magazines and gives away roses this morning. pic.twitter.com/mGzMOHfibc
— The Big Issue (@thebigissue) February 13, 2018
Now *this* is a Valentine’s Day story https://t.co/vGE66ynCVP
— Mashable (@mashable) February 14, 2018
Here is Cameron, the man of the moment, with one of the hundred roses he gave away for free today on the Gold Coast. It’s been a special thrill watching his ? story reach so many people. Thanks to Donna for the pic. #TheBigIssue #ProudlyWorking pic.twitter.com/u0XSp9Zq8N
— The Big Issue (@thebigissue) February 14, 2018