A courageous seven-year-old girl from the Midlands has experienced an extraordinary outpouring of kindness, receiving a staggering 60,000 birthday cards delivered by hundreds of bikers. Amelia Kolpa, from Halesowen, who is battling neuroblastoma, had a simple wish to collect 8,000 cards for her upcoming eighth birthday on March 3.
An Overwhelming Response from Strangers Worldwide
What began as a heartfelt appeal featured on BirminghamLive has transformed into a global movement of compassion. Thanks to the generosity of strangers from across the globe, including countries like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the USA, Amelia has not only met but dramatically surpassed her initial target.
The Biker-Led Delivery That Sparked Joy
In a remarkable display of community spirit, scores of bikers, including members of the Hells Angels motorcycle club, converged on Amelia's home yesterday evening. They delivered not only the mountain of greeting cards but also bundles of presents, creating a moment of pure joy for the young girl.
Loved ones described the event as prompting Amelia's "incredible smile", a testament to the happiness brought by this collective gesture. Despite the cold weather, Amelia was so captivated by the spectacle that she insisted on staying outside to watch everything unfold, even persuading the bikers to join her in doing the Macarena.
The Numbers Behind the Heartwarming Story
The scale of the response is truly astonishing. In addition to the 60,000 cards delivered yesterday, a further 23,000 are currently in storage, and 5,000 had already arrived at her home previously, bringing the total received to 88,000. However, this is just the beginning.
Amelia's auntie, Charmaine Grace, revealed that the family anticipates the final count will well exceed 100,000 cards once more are collected from various drop-off points next week. "We're looking at around 100,000 cards by next week. It's quite incredible," she told BirminghamLive. "Amelia was overwhelmed last night. The smile on her face is incredible."
A Moment of Normalcy Amid Health Challenges
Amelia has faced significant health struggles, having been in and out of hospital since she was two-and-a-half years old. Diagnosed with neuroblastoma in September 2020, she is now receiving palliative care focused on pain management to ensure her comfort at home.
The birthday card campaign has provided a much-needed boost. "Last night she was opening some cards and presents," her auntie shared. "And this morning she's opened another present and has gone back to sleep. It took a lot out of her yesterday, but honestly, it was incredible."
Community Organisation Behind the Scenes
The massive collection effort was coordinated with the help of local businesses and individuals. Biker Matt Lem played a key role, organising the collection at his Lockside Steakhouse restaurant in Stourbridge, which became a central hub for cards pouring in from around the world.
This story highlights the powerful impact of community solidarity and the kindness of strangers, offering a beacon of light for a young girl and her family during an immensely challenging time.
