Social media so often seems like a swirling cesspool of humanity that we tend to forget how it can help people band together for something like making a bullied kid feel special on his birthday. When Christopher Hope Smith discovered his son Ollie was being harassed about his upcoming ninth birthday, he took to social media to enlist some help. The UK-based dad explained on Twitter that his son was bummed because a bully had told him his birthday would not be fun, and asked if anyone famous or well known would wish Ollie well. Christopher’s tweets for help quickly went viral, getting thousands of responses from folks of all stripes, including Olympians, comedians, dogs wearing tiny hats, and even Australia’s surliest Academy Award winner Russel Crowe.
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
Sara Cox, one of the biggest radio DJs in England, sent Ollie a birthday video.
Happy birthday Ollie! x x x 🎂 pic.twitter.com/fLtRAAhc57
— sara cox (@sarajcox) June 29, 2017
An Olympian offered to meet Ollie on his birthday and even promised some swag for the birthday boy.
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
Alex Winters, one of the formers presenters of the popular British kid’s show CBeebies, gave Ollie a birthday shoutout.
@Hopenlesmyth Happy birthday Ollie 👍🏻 pic.twitter.com/5w22Opcfvu
— Alex Winters (@alexwinterstv) June 29, 2017
A BBC meteorologist used some weather-related metaphors to wish Ollie a happy birthday.
Happy 9th birthday Ollie! 🎉🎂May the ☀️ shine on your hopes and dreams today and every single day ahead.
— Matt Taylor (@MetMattTaylor) June 29, 2017
Comedian Jason Manford encouraged other celebrities to reach out.
Anyone wanna send this bullied kid a happy birthday message. RT @JasonManford: @Hopenlesmyth happy birthday Ollie https://t.co/jjf4wZ0jba pic.twitter.com/lSk87MuNMK
— JasonManford (@JasonManford) June 29, 2017
So did this dog wearing a tiny hat.
Buddy wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday too!! I hope all these messages show you there's so much good in this world & we care! pic.twitter.com/9vc8ZOh47e
— Kathy B Belser (@CoachBsWife) June 29, 2017
Three Lions United Club soccer players offered to let Ollie and his dad watch a game this season.
Happy birthday, Ollie! 🎂
Fancy coming to see us in September? Let us know and we'll make it happen. 👍
— England (@England) June 29, 2017
And last, but certainly not least, even Russell Crowe took some time out from Tweeting about Russell Crow joined in on the fun.
Hey Ollie, heard it was your birthday. 9 years old eh? Congratulations, Happy Birthday !!
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) June 29, 2017
While it’s a bit of an odd list of responders — and there’s a pretty good chance that an 8-year-old like Ollie has never even heard of most of these people — it’s safe to say that the outpouring of love has given him a pretty solid birthday. So, nice job Twitter. See what you can do when you stop arguing for a second?
