A MODEL and home care business owner from Keighley triggered an online viral hit by deciding to carry out acts of kindness while working in California.

Michael Etherington, a former Oakbank School pupil from Oakworth, spread the simple but effective good-deed message after deciding to help homeless people during his trip.

He said: “I’ve come out to America to speak to one of the biggest agencies in Los Angeles, as they want me to start working out here.

“While I’ve been here, I’ve seen homeless people everywhere. So I decided to do something different and hopefully inspire a couple of family and friends to do so as well.”

Mr Etherington, 30, began buying and leaving food next to sleeping homeless people, in order to give them something welcome to wake up to.

He recorded his good deeds and put them online, adding he was stunned by the response he received.

“What turned out to be a little act of kindness has gone viral, and it’s had thousands of people like, comment and share it on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Flickr,” Mr Etherington added.

“It’s got attention as far away as Australia, Thailand, Canada and South America, not to mention across the USA.

“It is something very simple, but it seems to have warmed a few people’s hearts, which is a lovely thing.”

Mr Etherington won a competition with the clothing company Next, in 2011, to be the new face of the brand.

He co-owns local business S & S Home Care Ltd, and also now owns a property firm called Etherington properties.

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