An autistic boy who struggles to make friends was deluged with 3,000 birthday cards – after his mother’s plea to strangers went viral.
Alfie Thompson is non-verbal and can only communicate using sign language but loves opening greeting cards.
So his mum Bronya, 30, put out an appeal asking for people to send a card for his eighth birthday.
And she was delighted when cards from all over the world arrived at their home in Plymouth, Devon, in several huge postal sacks.
She said: “Thank you ever so much to everyone who sent Alfie cards and presents, we are all totally overwhelmed with the response.
“You’ve had me in tears, Alfie has had cards from, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Zimbabwe, all around the UK, it’s been incredible.
“Alfie will have an amazing birthday with his friends and family and I really can’t thank you enough. If you ever see us around please say hello.
“Please remember – not every disability is visible and be kind.”
Many businesses have given Alfie gifts and heartfelt messages for his birthday.
Local cake maker Millie’s Cakes made him a chocolate superhero cake for his birthday, and he also received a goodie bag from London Heathrow.
The appeal was organised by their local news outlet, Plymouth Live, and Bronya was delighted when newspaper staff brought round the massive delivery.
Bronya added: “Big shout out to Plymouth Live for making this happen, Queen B salon and Moo Music for helping collect cards.
“Millie’s cakes, Amy Briffa, for donating Alfie his birthday cake! We totally loved it!”
Alfie suffers from a rare chromosome deletion and is one of just eight who suffer from the condition in the world.
Bronya said that due to Alfie’s health battles and his struggles to speak he has just a handful of friends as he “really struggles” to make them and there were only six other children in his class at school.
