Bullying can take many forms. It might happen in your workplace, school or any other place you can think of. It has become a real problem in the past few years. Because let’s be honest, you are more prone to being bullied on social media than in real life.
However, everything can be used in two ways. That includes the Internet. You see, a little kid named Ollie was getting bullied. His Father who is from northern England was getting tired of seeing his son in this position. So he used Twitter to ask for famous people to send his son a ‘positive’ message.
Following is the original thread:
Strange request. Anyone know anyone famous/well known who could send Ollie a positive/9th birthday message. The bully keeps saying to him 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.
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 ever okay. O I admit has his moments but seeing this other boy get away with this is harrowing. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Thank you.
However, Everyone around the world was happy to comply with the Dads request. That included Hollywood actor Russell Crowe, singer Dionne Warwick, astronauts Tim Peake and Chris Hadfield.
Hey Ollie, heard it was your birthday. 9 years old eh? Congratulations, Happy Birthday !!
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) June 29, 2017
Ollie! Happy birthday! 9 years old is a fun age! I hope your day was all that you dreamed. Shoot for the stars and always be kind. ✨🎂 xx
— Dionne Warwick (@_DionneWarwick) 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
Hope your 9th birthday is out of this world Ollie. Just remember – a bully is a person too scared to do the right thing. Aim high dude! 🚀
— Tim Peake (@astro_timpeake) June 29, 2017
Happy 9th birthday, Ollie! pic.twitter.com/vjDGha6XtM
— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) June 30, 2017
Hey Ollie, not sure if you watch basketball but happy birthday from the Raptors… Don't listen to that bully, you're the man! 😎 👊🏾 pic.twitter.com/uUANdHszCS
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) June 30, 2017
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
Happy 9th birthday Ollie! Bullies are cowards, have an amazing day! 🎉🎉🎉
— Pearl Mackie (@Pearlie_mack) June 30, 2017
Ollie—have a great birthday. You've got a great Dad. And remember people are really lucky to have you as a friend.
— Ed Miliband (@Ed_Miliband) 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
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
Happy Birthday Ollie. Hold that head high & celebrate a wonderful 9yrs on this awesome planet! 🎉
Btw bullies grow up to be dull grown ups!— Adam Brown (@BrownAds) June 29, 2017
Happy birthday to you Ollie!Only nine years old?The world is your lobster!Love from me and Marlene!🎂🍹🎈🍭
— John Challis (@BeingBoycie) June 29, 2017
“I am completely overwhelmed by everyone’s kind thoughts. You do not know what this means to me and will to Ollie when we show him.”
Following is her thread in full.
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 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 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 he is worthless and ‘shouldn’t be here’. I know that we are definitely not the only ones in the world to be going through this but I just want to say, from the bottom of my heart ‘Thank You’ so much. You really don’t know what this means.
Author’s Note:
All of us at RearFront despise bullying and anyone who takes part in such abhorrent actions. Nobody should be subjected to the horrors of bullying, especially at such a young age. We fully support Ollie and all those who have gone through this. This might be a little late, but we would also personally like to say ‘Happy Birthday’ to little Ollie.