The Tiktok star, 17, who was criticized for delivering 50 Big Macs to a homeless shelter in Mercedes in honor of McHappy Day, explains the REAL story behind the viral post.
A teenage girl who was viciously mocked for bringing 50 Big Mac burgers to a homeless shelter in a Mercedes has revealed how she stole her mother’s expensive vehicle to complete her charitable act.
Sophia Begg, of New South Wales, recorded a now-viral TikTok video on Saturday of herself spending $322.50 on burgers at a McDonald’s Drive-Thru before delivering the food to charity Will2live.
However, after filming herself picking up the massive order on McHappy Day, the 17-year-old was chastised for “squandering” her money on burgers rather than directly donating to Ronald McDonald House Charities Australia (RMHC).
A teenage girl who was viciously mocked for bringing 50 Big Mac burgers to a homeless shelter in a Mercedes has revealed how she stole her mother’s expensive vehicle to complete her charitable act.
Sophia Begg, of New South Wales, recorded a now-viral TikTok video on Saturday of herself spending $322.50 on burgers at a McDonald’s Drive-Thru before delivering the food to charity Will2live.
However, after filming herself picking up the massive order on McHappy Day, the 17-year-old was chastised for “squandering” her money on burgers rather than directly donating to Ronald McDonald House Charities Australia (RMHC).
“There were a lot of negative comments and direct messages accusing me of doing it for views or “clout,” but given how close Ronald McDonald House is to my heart, I’m guessing they don’t,” Sophia told 7Lifestyle.
Each year, the fast food business organizes an annual fundraiser around the country, with $2 from each Big Mac sold benefiting chronically sick children and their families.
As a result, Sophia decided to donate 50 Big Mac burgers to a homeless shelter – but she faced immediate backlash after filming herself travelling to McDonald’s in a Mercedes.
“No, that is not my automobile; it is my mother’s. I do own a car that is the same age as myself that I like, but it is now being repaired,” she explained.
Sophia explained that by purchasing 50 Big Macs on McHappy Day and donating the burgers to a needy shelter, she was “killing two birds with one stone.”
‘I was aware that it was McHappy Day and desired to assist in any way possible. My mother and I discussed how I might purchase Big Macs to benefit RMHC while also ensuring that they did not go to waste, as I am not capable of eating 50 Big Macs on my own,” she explained.
“I wanted to spread the word about McHappy Day and raise awareness. Additionally, by donating the Big Macs to Will2Llive, I was able to help two causes.”
Sophia expressed her gratitude for promoting such a worthy cause after dropping off the burgers.
“I received numerous direct messages from followers expressing gratitude for influencing them to purchase a Big Mac on McHappy Day or to desire to be a better person and give,” she explained.
The adolescent has continuously made significant donations to the RMHC over the years.
“I began donating my birthday and Christmas money to the Westmead House when I was five,” she explained.
“When I was eight years old, I used my pocket money to donate and transport approximately 30 litres of milk to the House each week, as the House was constantly in desperate need of fresh milk.”
At the age of 11, the then-Year 6 student braved the cameras to shave her head live on Channel 7’s Telethon to benefit a charity.
“I wanted to raise the maximum money possible for the House, and so I went on television and shaved my head,” she explained.
And her extraordinary generosity does not stop there. The unselfish adolescent said she now donates money to the RMHC Westmead House by selling her unwanted clothing via an Instagram profile, with all revenues going to the RMHC Westmead House.
Sophia, who has over 480,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram, said she chose to video her humanitarian deed over the weekend after thousands begged her to do so.
“I had no idea of filming the donation, but after receiving numerous messages urging me to do so, I realized it would be an excellent way to promote McHappy Day and leverage my position,” she explained.
Her statement came days after she was chastised on TikTok for donating a Big Mac.
“In all honesty, you should have contributed the money straight to Ronald McDonald House; I’m not sure what distribution of burgers to the homeless does,” one reviewer suggested.
Sophia stated in a subsequent TikTok video that the volume of “hate” messages she received was “insane.”
“At times, I literally cannot deal with individuals… Everybody is saying “you should have made a direct donation… what a waste.” I regularly donate to the Ronald McDonald House and have done so for years,” she explained.
“By purchasing a Big Mac for McHappy Day and donating it to the homeless, I ended up helping two charities at the same time.”
