A mum appealed for help to cheer up her teenage son who had 'had enough of life' - and the response has been absolutely phenomenal.
Tanya Williams asked people to send birthday cards to her son Rhys, who turns 14 later this month, to show him how much he is loved.
The Bolton teenager lives with the painful, life-limiting condition epidermolysis bullosa, which causes painful skin blisters, sores and has even caused his fingers to fuse together.
Tanya says that she that he was 'giving up on life' and was desperate to show him that he has something to fight for.
But now, thanks to the kindness of thousands of people who responded to Tanya's appeal, Rhys has got a smile on his face again.
In just a few days, he has received more than 3,000 cards in the post from all over the world - so many that a post van arrived at his home today just for him.
Tanya says the 13-year-old is 'in his element' opening the cards with his best friend, and is taking the time to read every single one.
She said: "It's just been crazy. A post van came today with stuff for Rhys, it's just been mad.
"I've had thousands of messages on Facebook, people turning up at the door.
"I don't know whether I'm coming or going, but Rhys is in his element.
"He's at home opening the cards with his best friend. He is absolutely loving it.
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"He is opening each card and reading it, and he's got his friend opening them too. He is taking his time with each one which is why it is taking so long.
"He's just so overwhelmed with it."
Since Tanya first made her appeal, Rhys's story has gone international - with some of the cards arriving from the other side of the world.
She has also been contacted by a number of organisations who want to do something nice for Rhys, including Bolton Wanderers FC, who have asked him to act as a mascot - something he's looking forward to even though he's a Liverpool fan.
Tanya added: "It's gone world wide. He's been on telly in Chile. He got a card from Qatar today, and loads from America. It's just gone everywhere.
"I just want to say thank you. That's all I can really say at the moment, I'm so overwhelmed by it all.
"He's sitting at home opening cards with his best friend and he is really, really happy."
Rhys's birthday is on September 21.
Cards can be sent to Rhys at 40 Whalley Avenue, Bolton, BL1 5UD
