This will restore your faith in humanity.
Anyone that spends enough time on Twitter knows that that it can sometimes be an unpleasant forum for conversation and debate.
It can often be a haven for bitterness and spite, but there can also be a positive side when so many people are able to engage and collectively pull together in aid of a good cause.
On Thursday, a man named Christopher, the parent of a nine-year old boy called Ollie, issued what he dubbed a “strange request” for well-known or famous people to send his son a positive message to cheer him up following an experience with a bully that had him down in the dumps.
The response was nothing short of incredible.
In the space of 24 hours (at the time of writing), the original message has been retweeted nearly 10,000 times and has garnered over 4,000 replies, including from some very famous people indeed.
But it’s not just the replies from celebrities that make it such a heartwarming and positive thing to read; ordinary Twitter users have been inundating Ollie with messages of encouragement and positivity, many of whom have been through similar experiences themselves.
Some of the responses from well-known faces have been included below, but if you’re looking for a reminder that people really can be great sometimes, you might want to spend 10 or 15 minutes having a scroll through the thread it its entirety.
You won’t regret it.
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
— Christopher (@Hopenlesmyth) June 29, 2017
Hey Ollie, heard it was your birthday. 9 years old eh? Congratulations, Happy Birthday !!
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) June 29, 2017
happy birthday Ollie https://t.co/jjf4wZ0jba
— JasonManford (@JasonManford) June 29, 2017
Happy birthday Ollie! You're a lil legend. ❤️⭐️?Don't watch the bullies they always end up being the biggest wastemen later in life
— #GSAP (@Stormzy1) June 29, 2017
— Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) June 29, 2017
If you need a lift this evening, read this thread. You won't regret it ❤️
Happy 9th Birthday Ollie! ?? https://t.co/30QS5GKNVI
— Pieta House (@PietaHouse) June 29, 2017
Happy Birthday Ollie. Hope you have a great birthday. We've all been there with bullies, never let them win. Enjoy your day ??
— Dame Jess Ennis-Hill (@J_Ennis) June 30, 2017
Happy 9th B-day Ollie!
Have a fantastic day!
Oh & most of us have faced bullies in our lives, it's how you rise above it that matters ❤️ https://t.co/VjitRt8Sko— Michael Kelly (@michaeljkellyjr) June 30, 2017
happy birthday, ollie! ?we're rooting for you to have a gr8 day… + rooting for you always. hang in there! pic.twitter.com/EhG2HqGb2K
— Monica Lewinsky (@MonicaLewinsky) June 29, 2017
Hopefully we can help #passonthepositive, Christopher ?
Have a brilliant 9th birthday Ollie, from all of us here at Arsenal ? pic.twitter.com/vucpAdtqx6
— Arsenal FC (@Arsenal) June 29, 2017
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