Queer Eye fans raise £70,000 to help season three's Jess Guilbeaux go back to college
'This is so sweet. I have no words'
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Your support makes all the difference.Queer Eye fans have raised more than £70,000 to help a star of the hit Netflix show go back to college.
Jess Guilbeaux, who featured in the fifth episode of season three with the Fab Five, was kicked out of her home by her parents when she came out as gay at the age of 16.
The 23-year-old began studying computer science at University of Kansas, using her own money to fund the course, but was later forced to drop out of education due to increasing debts.
While the Queer Eye team helped the self-confessed “lumberjack lesbian” grow in confidence, transforming everything from her home to her wardrobe, they weren’t able to raise enough money to send her back to college.
However, after viewing the episode featuring Guilbeaux, one viewer decided to take matters into their own hands, starting a GoFundMe page to help give her “the future she deserves”.
“Jess Guilbeaux, from Queer Eye Season three, Episode five, is a strong, black lesbian woman, the fundraising page reads.
“Let's send this smart and strong woman back to college to complete what she began and give her the future she deserves.
“While I do not personally know Jess, I felt compelled to initiate this campaign and have handed over ownership of this account to her. The funds go directly to her.”
Since the page was launched on 16 March 2019, $94,182 (£71,832) has been raised, with many supporters also leaving Guilbeaux messages of encouragement.
“You are a delightful, wonderful, and inspiring woman. You have been so brave and strong and deserve all the good coming your way now - and I'm so glad to see you are loving yourself just the way you are. YOU GO GIRL!!” one person wrote.
Another added: “I am thrilled to be even a small part of helping you, and I love how much love people are showing you, with their donations.”
Guilbeaux expressed just how much people’s donations and well wishes meant to her on social media.
“This is so sweet,” she tweeted.
“I have no words. I'm dehydrated at this point.”
Guilbeaux also confirmed that she has been in touch with the person running the GoFundMe page and that 100 per cent of the donations will be sent directly to her.
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