Appeal to public to help 'put a smile on sick boys face'

A resident of Esentepe in North Cyprus, Mark Rumbelow wants to help put a smile on the face of a sick boy in the UK who is wheelchair-bound.

Rhys Willliams mother, Tanya, wants as many cards as possible to be sent for his birthday on Saturday, September 21, because  his illness, Dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, has left him feeling that “he’d had enough of life”.

Williams suffers from a rare skin condition that has limited his ability to walk and move — and had told his mother that he wished “a butterfly would come and take him away.”

Rhys Williams had told his mother that he’s had “enough of life” and has received an outpouring of birthday wishes in an effort to lift his spirits, according to a report.

In just a few days, he has received more than 10,000 cards as well as parcels and hundreds of online messages in time for his 14th birthday on September 21.

Mr Rumbelow is now appealing to the public for cards to be dropped off at Taro Brasserie in Esentepe, Efendi Restaurant or Whiskey Joe’s in Girne, Almond Tree in Küçük Erenköy, Stone Cavern in Ozanköy, Destiny Deniz restaurant and bar in Çatalköy, The Fez, also in Çatalköy, or at Alsancak’s Cineworld and Costa Rica Bar for delivery in time for Rhys’ birthday.

Speaking of his reason for taking the initiative, Mr Rumbelow said: 

I was looking on the internet and saw the news and it just kind of hurt. Then when I read when his birthday was, I thought ‘great, that’s my birthday too’ and instead of having birthday gifts or cards, I’m asking for people to send cards for him.

Happy Birthday to him in advance!