An 82-year-old shop worker is finally able to retire after going viral on TikTok. A clip of Warren 'Butch' Marion working on checkout gained over 3million views, kickstarting a huge fundraiser for the veteran, reports Manchester Evening News.
The viral video was shared by Rory McCarty, who gained popularity on the app by sharing videos from his bug extermination business. In the clip, it shows him meeting Mr Marion, a Navy veteran, on the till one day at a Walmart in the US.
The pensioner tells the influencer a story about a woman who raised thousands for two elderly people working at Walmart. The video ends with Rory asking Butch: "Imagine if someone raised that kind of money for you?".
The businessman did just that and, with the help of his followers, Rory set up a GoFundMe to raise money for Mr Marion's retirement. The page has since had 6.5k donations and made over $164,000 (£133,030).
Rory said: "I was astounded seeing this little older man still grinding. Working 8 to 9 hour shifts. I wanted to help this Navy veteran to live the remainder of his years traveling to see his kids in Florida. Get him off his feet for 8 hrs at a time."
Following the fundraising, Rory presented Mr Marion with a check for almost $109,000 earlier this month. Speaking to local news publication, Cumberland Times-New, Mr Marion said: "All I can tell you is the good Lord has blessed me for what I did in my younger years.
“What this is going to do for me at 82 years old is allow me to pay all my bills off, including my house and I will have nothing but my utility bills. I’ll be able to travel to Florida whenever I feel like going and see my kids. I’m very, very blessed.”
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here .
