A young girl fighting a rare and aggressive form of cancer has been inundated with an astonishing outpouring of love and support, receiving more than ninety-five thousand birthday cards in a record-breaking community campaign. Amelia Kolpa, aged seven, was diagnosed with a rare neuroblastoma located in her stomach and has endured hospital treatments since she was just two years old.
A Battle Against Neuroblastoma
Despite previously overcoming the cancer, Amelia faced a devastating relapse and is now receiving palliative care to manage her condition. For her upcoming eighth birthday in March, her family embarked on an ambitious mission to break the United Kingdom record for the most greeting cards received in a single day. Her mother, Katarzyna Bartczak, initially aimed to collect eight thousand cards to surpass the existing record.
Viral Appeal and Overwhelming Response
The online appeal for cards rapidly went viral, far exceeding all expectations. Amelia ultimately received more than ten times the original target, with the total surpassing ninety-five thousand cards. This incredible response highlights the power of social media and community solidarity in times of need.
Hells Angels Lead Delivery Effort
In a remarkable display of support, approximately two thousand Hells Angels bikers took to the streets of Rowley Regis in the West Midlands to assist in delivering the vast quantity of letters. Three vans, completely filled with birthday cards, were escorted through the town by the procession of bikers, creating a poignant and unforgettable scene.
Matt Lem, a Hells Angel member and restaurant owner who played a key role in organising the card collection, expressed his awe at the community's response. "The whole community, nationally and internationally, has pulled together to do this," he said. "Considering that it was wet, windy, and cold, for so many people to turn up and show their support—it's truly unbelievable."
Global Reach and Heartfelt Messages
Lem began collecting cards at his establishment, the Lockside Steakhouse in Stourbridge, and soon found himself receiving hundreds of cards daily. By January 28, he had gathered eighteen thousand cards, but the number skyrocketed to over ninety-five thousand by the following day. Cards arrived from across the globe, including distant locations such as Colombia, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.
Reflecting on the campaign, Lem shared, "Two weeks back, I got a message asking if I could help give an appeal some traction. I get asked to do this all the time, but for some reason, this one touched my heart; it really struck a chord. We made a video and I thought nothing of it. I went to the gym, and when I came back, the battery had gone on my phone. I received so many messages, calls, and Facebook calls about it."
He added, "It's so humbling to see this, I'm humbled and extremely proud. It really shows what can be achieved when we work together."
Family's Emotional Reaction
Amelia greeted the crowds of well-wishers with waves and smiles as the cards were stacked in enormous piles inside her home. Her aunt, Charmaine Grace, who helped organise the card appeal, conveyed the family's deep gratitude. "There is so much love and support for my niece," she said. "The original target was to get 8,000 cards to break the record, Amelia got ten times that amount. It's beautiful to know that everyone out there is with us on this journey and there's still humanity in the world."
Grace explained the significance of the gesture, noting, "She's been going through this treatment since she was two and a half and most birthdays for her are spent in the hospital, so she wanted to do something big for her birthday. To us, it's just a card but it means the world to her. She is so happy to have the cards, she just smiles and that is lovely."
Creating Lasting Memories
Amelia plans to open each card and create a massive collage to be displayed on a wall, preserving the memories of this extraordinary show of support. This heartfelt project will serve as a lasting tribute to the global community that rallied around her during her difficult battle with neuroblastoma.
The story of Amelia Kolpa and the overwhelming response to her birthday card appeal underscores the profound impact of collective kindness and the enduring spirit of human compassion in the face of adversity.
