A campaign to send birthday cards to a Merseyside boy suffering from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy has attracted more than 8,000 cards from around the globe.

William Magee from Prenton, Wirral will be six on 19 August and had hoped to celebrate with a party at New Brighton’s Bubbles’ World of Play, however, due to the genetic, terminal, muscle wasting condition it could be unsafe for him.

With opening cards being one of William’s favourite things to do, his mum Kelly Magee recently posted a Facebook call for people to help make his day by sending cards to him.

On hearing about her plight, Bubbles’ World of Play added its support and in just over two weeks the indoor soft play centre has received more than 8,000 cards from Australia, Canada, Singapore, South Africa, Brazil and Europe.

One couple sent a card to William from Rome, which was received by Bubbles’ World of Play.

Meanwhile, Kelly has received around 400 cards, and local radio station Heart North West FM has set up drop off points around the region for its listeners.

Online greetings card retailer Moonpig has also pledged to offer card purchasers the chance to send another card to William for free by using the code ‘FOR WILLIAM’.

Kelly says: “I think I’m still in a state of shock, I can’t believe how many people have sent cards to William and how many people care about my little boy.

“The response from local businesses, and in particular the generosity from all the staff at Bubbles’ World of Play, is just incredible. I can’t thank people enough, and I am so grateful to everyone who has taken the time to send a card to William.”

Bubbles’ World of Play, which has agreed to host a VIP party for William to play safely alongside his family and friends, says it is often receiving more than 500 cards a day.

General manager, Peter Collard, says: “It’s just amazing to see the generosity of people. The response from individuals, businesses and even children who are drawing and making birthday cards to give to William, has been incredible to see.”

To send a card ahead of William’s birthday, post it to William Magee, Bubbles World of Play, Marine Point, Kings Parade, New Brighton, CH45 2PB.

Related posts:

Liverpool’s 2015 St George’s Festival to be “biggest and best yet” Parking bay street gardens plan to revitalise Bold Street Liverpool go-kart track confirms December opening Menswear store Giancarlo Ricci to double in size Opportunities for former Liverpool waterfront car park site being ‘explored’ Construction start date for Prescot’s Shakespeare North Playhouse