How a British YouTuber turned a Donkey Kong 64 speedrun into a charity powerhouse
In short: Harry Brewis, known as Hbomberguy, transformed a marathon gaming session into a massive fundraising event for a transgender charity. By livestreaming his attempt to collect every item in Donkey Kong 64, he raised over $347,000, proving that long-form internet content can drive significant, real-world impact beyond the screen.
Born in 1992, Harry Brewis began his YouTube journey in 2006. Before committing to his channel full-time, he worked as an IT engineer and an animator. His content, often described as video essays, blends deep-dive research with comedic sketches. He frequently collaborates with experts to ensure factual accuracy, a practice that has earned him critical acclaim for his work on topics ranging from film and television to internet culture and video games.
Brewis gained significant attention for his 2019 livestream, where he spent nearly 58 hours playing Donkey Kong 64 to support the charity Mermaids. The event, which featured guests like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Neil Gaiman, raised over $347,000. This effort was a response to the charity losing funding after public criticism from activist Graham Linehan. The stream was later recognized with an Attitude Pride Award, highlighting its role as a positive force in gaming culture.
Beyond his charity work, Brewis is known for his investigative video essays. In 2022, he scrutinized the claims of Tommy Tallarico, and in 2023, he released a four-hour investigation into plagiarism on YouTube, specifically targeting James Somerton. His rigorous approach to debunking misinformation and exposing intellectual dishonesty has made him a prominent figure in the video essay landscape. Despite his success, he faces ongoing challenges, including navigating automated copyright systems like Content ID and managing complex immigration situations while working internationally.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Hbomberguy
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/culture-hbomberguy.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Languages · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics
