52 Lives

#31 La Scuola a Italiana

Request: Birthday cards for Rhys

July 2018

This week, we visit two schools, La Scuola a Italiana a Londres and Downsend School in Leatherhead to run Kindness Workshops for almost 200 children. As part of our workshop, we told the children about a 5 year old boy, who has been bullied at school. He was feeling very alone, and like he didn't have any friends. We heard his birthday was coming up, so we asked the children to make the biggest, brightest birthday cards they could to wish very a very happy birthday!

We were overwhelmed by the cards and gifts they made, and thought they put into the messages they wrote. All of the cards and gifts were delivered in time for his birthday, and he was one very happy boy. Thank you so much to these two wonderful schools for helping us to spread some kindness to this amazing little boy. His dad sent a little message that he wanted us to share, which we have copied below..

"I just wanted to message and say a huge, huge thank you to everyone at 52 Lives and the wonderful schools who sent cards. He had such a magical birthday and was so overwhelmed by all the cards, messages and gifts - he actually got quite emotional but has loved and treasured each and everyone. His whole summer has been full of fun and adventure thanks to everyone he has spent the 6 weeks smiling - even at his hospital appointment on Thursday when he was told he will be having the op re done in the next six weeks, he seemed more confident - like he could do this. Thank you so much again for everything...thank you just doesn’t seem to cover how much this will do for his self-confidence."

As well as all of the beautiful birthday cards and gifts we sent, 52 Lives also paid for horse-riding lessons...this is his first lesson!