A POPULAR online personality who has gained a huge following has vowed to continue his mission to provide for the next generation in response to his beloved grandfather’s death.

Jonathan Wormley, 35, known online as Original Jonny Boy, started social media around two years ago and has since gained nearly 300,000 followers on TikTok and 100,000 on Instagram.

His content is best known for comedic and heart-warming videos with his grandfather, Neville Smith, including gentle pranks or sit-down chats about life.

He told the Chronicle: “My grandad was far more to me than just my grandad, he was my best pal.

“There is no amount of money in the world that could amount to what that man gave me.

“He built in me the value of enjoying life and having fun and he taught me the meaning of true love.”

When Jonathan first started earning money from his social media following his first instinct was to use it for the good of others.

With his first paycheck, he bought 50 blankets for pensioners at his local community centre at the time when winter fuel allowances were planned to be scrapped.

As his social media presence has grown, his dedication to his mission is not slowing down.

He is committed to creating a better world for young people, trying to steer them away from bad influences and dangerous content by getting them involved in healthier outlets and hobbies.

He said: “Kids these days are getting into all sorts of trouble and a hobby that they can commit themselves to can put them on a better path.

“I have been around it when I was growing up and so I know how easy it is to be drawn into bad influences.

“So, the money I make has to go into helping them and giving back.

“Politics has been so divisive recently and with all the politicians arguing they miss what should be the key focus, the young people.”

He said that while social media has its pitfalls and dangers it’s so important ‘that we use it to our advantage’ to create positive outlets.

The project feels so essential in this day and age to him as he has seen a dwindle in youth clubs and holiday camps that used to contribute so much to kids’ enrichment.

Jonathan now owns Willow Farm Fisheries, in Wombwell, where he uses the land in collaboration with schools and councils to provide experiences for young people.

He has also set up Next Gen Giveaways, a website which allows people to enter into prize draws with the proceeds all going to giving kids a better childhood.

They have raised more than £20,000 to provide kids with an array of extracurricular activities, not just fishing, to become invested in.

On his work, Jonathan added: “One thing I have always said is that I want to be the kind of person I needed in my life when I was growing up.

“I really enjoy what I do and it means the world to be able to make a difference.”