COMIC RELIEF
Hero comedian raises more than $290,000 to send bullied boy, 9, with dwarfism to Disneyland after tragic viral video
A HERO comedian raised more than $290,000 to send a bullied nine-year-old boy with dwarfism to Disneyland after a tragic viral video.
In the video, the boy, Quaden Bayles, was seen hysterically crying and saying he wanted to commit suicide after he was bullied at school.
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In the clip, which mother Yarraka Bayles posted to Facebook, distraught Quaden can be seen sat in the passenger seat of a car saying, "What's the point?", and, "I want someone to kill me".
Yarraka, from Brisbane, Australia, pleaded with other parents to educate their children about the impact bullying can have.
Devastated Yarraka captioned the post: "This is the impacts of bullying! I seriously don’t know what else to do!"
The video has racked up 281,000 shares and 15 million views since being published on Tuesday.
After viewing the viral video, -based comedian Brad Williams — who also has dwarfism — organized a fundraiser on to send the boy and his mom to Disneyland in California.
"I’m setting up this GoFundMe to let Quaden know that bullying will not be tolerated, and that he is a wonderful human being who deserves joy," Williams wrote.
"I want to fly Quaden and his mother to America, get them a nice hotel, and bring them to Disneyland."
Williams added: "This isn’t just for Quaden, this is for anyone who has been bullied in their lives and told they weren’t good enough. Let’s show Quaden and others, that there is good in the world and they are worthy of it."
Less than 24 hours after the fundraiser was created, the GoFundMe had reached — and well surpassed — the $10,000 goal.
By Friday afternoon, more than $290,000 was raised by 13,200 donors.
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As the donations continued to climb over the day, Williams posted updates to his twitter, overwhelmed by the outpouring support.
"I’ve heard from men, women, all heights, all races, all parts of the LGBTQ+ community, all political affiliations. Everyone is helping. What a truly wonderful thing," Williams tweeted.
Williams added in another tweet that Fiji Airways announced they would donate plane tickets for Quaden and his mom to travel from to Disneyland.
The comedian said that any excess money would be donated to anti-bullying and anti-abuse charities.
Mother Yarraka posted the heartbreaking video Tuesday, to spread awareness of bullying and the effect it can have.
In the video, she can be heard saying: "I've just picked up my son from school, witnessed a bullying episode, rang the principal and I want people to know - parents, educators, teachers - this is the effects that bullying has.
"This is what bullying does, so can you please educate your children, your families, your friends.
"This is the impact bullying has on a nine-year-old kid that just wants to go to school, get an education and have fun but every single freaking day, something happens.
";Another episode, another bullying, another taunt, another name calling."
Yarraka said she had arrived at the school to see another child patting Quaden on the head and making fun of his height.
Becoming tearful herself, she continues: "I want people to know how much it is hurting us as a family.
"I've got a son that is suicidal [after] anything that happens at school or in public, which is almost every time we're in public.
"And this is the side that... I choose to keep private, but we can't do it anymore."
OUTPOURING OF SUPPORT
The video has sparked an outpouring of support, with National Rugby League side Indigenous All Stars inviting Quaden to lead the team out ahead of a game on Saturday night.
In a clip posted to twitter, NRL star Latrell Mitchell, who has met Quaden in the past, is seen surrounded by his team mates and saying: "Hey Quaden.
"We know you're going through a hard time right now, but the boys are here, we've got your back, we're here to support you, bud.
"We want you around, we want you to lead us out at the weekend.
"It's going to mean more to us than it will to you."
Quaden also received hundreds of supportive comments from social media users.
One wrote: "Parents and teachers need to impress upon young people how terrible the consequences of bullying are."
Another said: "Please don't hurt yourself....YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL....the bullies will get their day.....stay strong.
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A third said: "My heart breaks for you young man.
"Stay strong you have a place in this world.
"Parents educate your kids on the effects of bullying this has got to stop. Sending love to you buddy."
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Hugh Jackman addresses the bullying of Quaden Bayles in touching personal tribute
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