Michael Sheen heard about struggling 'steelworkers in tears' — his gift worth $1.3 million changed their lives

No one really knows the struggles laborers go through until they are voiced out loud. Despite doing strenuous jobs, there is no security and guaranteed employment. They can lose their means of livelihood anytime while drowning in debt and it is heartbreaking to see no one coming to their support. However, when actor Michael Sheen heard about the distressing realities the workers faced, he decided to step in and become a source of help to them, per My Modern Met. The actor made the generous decision to use $1.3 million from his own accounts to provide an unbelievable gift to the helpless workers and his perspective behind it is an inspiration to many. 

The actor initially mentioned that he didn’t have that large an amount to "throw away,” per BBC’s “The One Show” podcast. However, things changed when he learned about the plight of workers. A woman he came across at a cafe enlightened him about the struggles steelworkers were facing. This was majorly caused by the closing down of a blasting furnace in Wales, per The Hollywood Reporter. As traditional steelmaking was reduced, around 2,800 laborers lost their jobs, leaving them broke and in serious financial crises. "The woman who worked at the cafe we were filming in told me the story of the men sitting on every table in tears, who were losing their jobs," he recalled, per BBC News.

"And I just thought, it hits home. I just thought anything I can do [to help],” he added. Hearing about the “tears of the steelworkers,” the “Good Omens” actor knew he had to support. Turning back from his initial statement, he set up a debt acquisition company to clear over a million’s worth of debt for over 900 people. Sharing a glimpse of his documentary, “Michael Sheen’s Secret Million Pound Giveaway,” the actor’s views were also revealed, per Channel 4 News. “You need some help to get through these times. And people are getting into spirals of debt. Once you’re underwater, it’s very hard to get out again. That’s why I wanted to do this—to draw attention to the fact that this is going on and there is a way to change it. There are alternatives and we need to push to try and make a difference for people,” he highlighted. 

The “Passengers” actor purchased the debt of all these people and cleared it off for them. Addressing the 900 people, he mentioned, “You've just received a letter saying that personal debt belonging to you is now owed to a different company. Well, that company is mine.  I'm writing all that debt off.” Sheen noted that it was a difficult thing to start with. He had no idea how it all worked, but seeing that it benefitted so many people in a life-changing way, he knew this had to be the way to go. Going strong for two years, the actor insisted on doing the work secretly so as to keep the identity of the 900 people hidden. “I would never know who they are - I still don't know who they are,” he remarked. Sheen hopes that what he’s started with 900 people will go on to “make a difference in the lives of millions.”