This story quickly went from heartbreaking to inspiring, and continues to surprise us at every turn!
A GoFundMe campaign created to raise money for Quaden Bayles to go to Disneyland has made over $470,000 and counting in just one week since his mom’s video of him crying hysterically about bullies at school went viral. But despite earning more than enough cash to make the 9-year-old’s dream come true, Bayles’ family has reportedly decided to decline the money and instead send it to charities tackling childhood bullying and suicide. Talk about paying it forward!
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Quaden’s aunt, Mundanara Bayles, spoke with NITV News on Thursday about the altruistic decision, admitting:
“What kid wouldn’t want to go to Disneyland, especially if you have lived Quaden’s life. But my sister said, ‘you know what, let’s get back to the real issue.’ This little fella has been bullied. How many suicides, black or white, in our society have happened due to bullying?”
She continued, explaining how the generous donations received from strangers around the world will serve a greater purpose now:
“We want the money to go to community organisations that really need it. They know what the money should be spent on. So as much as we want to go to Disneyland, I think our community would far off benefit from that.”
Awww!
The online fundraiser titled, “Let’s send a wonderful kid to Disneyland!” was initially set up by comedian Brad Williams who was born with achondroplasia — the same condition Quaden has which causes dwarfism. After an outpouring of support from celebs who heard the story like Hugh Jackman, Piers Morgan, Megyn Kelly, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, the collection WAY surpassed its $10,000 goal. Heck, even Fiji Airways offered up free round-trip plane tickets to Quaden and his fam to get to the theme park, too. Guess they won’t be needing those anymore??
We still think there are enough funds to enjoy that trip AND make a difference, but we support the charitable gesture nonetheless! As you’re likely aware by now, the buzz about Bayles began after his mother Yarraka recorded and shared a heartbreaking video of the crying young boy asking for a knife, and saying he wanted to kill himself after another tough day at school.
It wasn’t long before the clip went viral with millions of views and re-shares from across the world and sparked an online conversation using the Twitter hashtag #StopBullying. Shortly after the monetary donations began pouring in, a rumor started circulating about Quaden’s real age with one Facebook user claiming he was actually 18 years old.
Part of the so-called proof the individual offered up was Bayles’ large following on Instagram and claims he had a post about his 18th birthday.
However, the internet (us included!) did a little digging and found ample evidence to support the contrary and prove Quaden’s real age. ICYMI, we broke it down for you at length in our latest recap HERE.
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