A dad named Chris Hope-Smith– from Leeds in West Yorkshire, England– posted on Twitter explaining that his young son, named Ollie, was struggling with a bully who makes him feel worthless. With Ollie’s 9th birthday coming up, Chris asked if any famous people could send Ollie messages of encouragement for his birthday.
VIDEOS BY INSPIRE MORE
“I would love someone to tell him he does mean something and bullying is not ok, ever.”
Strange request. Anyone know anyone famous/well known who could send Ollie a positive/9th birthday message. The bully keeps saying to him
– Christopher (@Hopenlesmyth) June 29, 2017
that everything O has, he has bigger/better/more often. O excited for his birthday but keeps being told it won’t be as good as his own
– Christopher (@Hopenlesmyth) June 29, 2017
I would be so grateful and I appreciate it is an odd request. Just would love someone to tell him he does mean something & bullying is not okay ever
– Christopher (@Hopenlesmyth) June 29, 2017
British hip hop artist Stormzy responded, calling Ollie a “lil legend.”
Happy birthday Ollie! You’re a lil legend. â¤ï¸âï¸?Don’t watch the bullies they always end up being the biggest wastemen later in life
– #GSAP (@Stormzy1) June 29, 2017
The character designer for the Simpsons, Eric Keys, sketched Bart Simpson for Ollie along with a birthday wish.
Happy Birthday Ollie from a guy on @TheSimpsons who’s not quite famous but draws a kid who is =) I hope you have an AWESOME day! pic.twitter.com/f7itI4XdfW
– Eric Keyes (@monkeyes) June 29, 2017
The England football team wished Ollie well, adding that they’d love to meet him!
Happy birthday, Ollie! ?
Fancy coming to see us in September? Let us know and we’ll make it happen. ?
– England (@England) June 29, 2017
Even a former Olympic athlete from Ollie’s hometown gave Ollie a shoutout, saying he’d love to meet him and even give him some swag from Team Great Britain for his birthday!
Hi Chris, saw ur message. Im not really famous but saw you’re Leeds based so please send Ollie a big happy birthday from a Leeds Olympian!
– Tom Bosworth (@TomBosworth) June 29, 2017
DM me your private details and maybe on his birthday I can meet you guys and give Ollie some Olympic team GB kit?
– Tom Bosworth (@TomBosworth) June 29, 2017
In addition, Ollie got messages from TV personalities, broadcasters, radio DJs, musicians, actors, dancers, an astronaut, and more!
Happy 9th birthday Ollie! ??May the â˜€ï¸ shine on your hopes and dreams today and every single day ahead.
– Matt Taylor (@MetMattTaylor) June 29, 2017
@Hopenlesmyth happy birthday Ollie! (For next week) Ricky and Leah from CBBC Newsround. pic.twitter.com/F7uVS0GVly
– Ricky Boleto (@rickyboleto) June 29, 2017
happy birthday Ollie. Ignore the bullies mate , they’re only jealous ?
– Reverend&TheMakers (@Reverend_Makers) June 29, 2017
– Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) June 29, 2017
Happy Birthday Ollie! Another year bigger, bolder, braver… And a better man than any of those bullies ever will be! Have an amazing day ?
– Ore Oduba (@OreOduba) June 29, 2017
Happy birthday Ollie love all of us from @thisisheart ??? pic.twitter.com/fU9SIPD63M
– Sian Welby (@Sianwelby) June 29, 2017
a big group of people the other side of the World to say a big Happy Birthday to Ollie from Kenya ??â¤ï¸? pic.twitter.com/gCq3XWLnZT
– Matthew Norton (@Memusi_Matt) June 29, 2017
Happy birthday Ollie! x x x ? pic.twitter.com/fLtRAAhc57
– sara cox (@sarajcox) June 29, 2017
Perhaps the most internationally recognizable star to tweet at Ollie is Academy Award winner Russell Crowe.
Hey Ollie, heard it was your birthday. 9 years old eh? Congratulations, Happy Birthday !!
– Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) June 29, 2017
These are just a handful of the hundreds of tweets from celebrities (and thousands more from other Twitter users) wishing Ollie a very happy birthday.
Ollie’s mom responded with a series of tweets via Chris’s account, thanking everyone for the outpouring of love.
Hi, I’m Ollie’s mum (married to Chris). I don’t ‘tweet’ and always go on at him for spending too much time on Twitter!! However, this time I
– Christopher (@Hopenlesmyth) June 29, 2017
am completely overwhelmed by everyones kind thoughts. You do not know what this means to me and will to Ollie when we show him. I have been
– Christopher (@Hopenlesmyth) June 29, 2017
battling with this matter for over a year and am only just now being listened to. It is heartbreaking listening to an 8 year old think that
– Christopher (@Hopenlesmyth) June 29, 2017
he is worthless and ‘shouldn’t be here’. I know that we are definately not the only ones in the world to be going through this but I just
– Christopher (@Hopenlesmyth) June 29, 2017
want to say, from the bottom of my heart ‘Thank You’ so much. You really don’t know what this means, Natalie xx
– Christopher (@Hopenlesmyth) June 29, 2017
Dad said he never expected this to blow up the way it did, but now hopes others will pass on the positivity!
Guys this has gone crazy and I appreciate all the wonderful messages. No names have been mentioned other than me & my children. I just want
– Christopher (@Hopenlesmyth) June 29, 2017
to keep it like that, some people will know the bullies and I hope they keep names out of this. I started this with no malice & certainly
– Christopher (@Hopenlesmyth) June 29, 2017
did not expect the reaction it has recieved. I for one thank each & everyone of you. I will respond as and when I can, I promise. Please
– Christopher (@Hopenlesmyth) June 29, 2017
just be kind to each other #PASSONTHEPOSITIVE and please be nice.
– Christopher (@Hopenlesmyth) June 29, 2017
Happy birthday, Ollie!
Share to spread the love.
Want to be happier in just 5 minutes a day? Sign up for Morning Smile and join over 455,000+ people who start each day with good news.