A 13-year-old boy has had an "overwhelming" positive response after WalesOnline reported how he had been beaten up for his beloved football, with messages of love and support coming from "all over the world".
As previously reported, Josh Bennett left his Port Talbot home to see friends, when he was punched and kicked by a group of children because they wanted his new Champion's League football.
Now, after receiving loving support from the community - including an ex-British strongman, Swansea City, and a local football charity, his mother has said their family's "faith in humanity has been restored"
Read more: ' I was run over by a car when I was 13 and my life just spiralled down from there'
Josh was in Walter Street, Port Talbot, at the end of January when a group approached him asking to buy his football for £2.50. Upon declining the offer, Josh was repeatedly punched and kicked.
Josh's mother, Hayley Bennett, said the incident had left her son in tears and afraid to leave the house alone.
But he has since told his mum, "the bullies haven't won yet", after the amazing response to the incident. Hayley said their family had been "blown away by the kindness of strangers".
"Josh was so upset when it all happened and we just wanted to raise awareness that this sort of bullying still goes on and we wanted to find who was responsible. We just couldn't believe the amount of love he's had since, we're just shocked at the magnitude of support and wanted to say thank you" said Hayley.
The family said they had spent countless hours going through supportive comments and had received numerous offers to purchase footballs for the 13-year-old.
The football had a special sentimental value to Josh, after his younger brother had saved up to buy it for him as a Christmas present.
"We've had a number of messages, too many to count, with people offering to help in any way possible but it really showed the support to fight against bullies" said Hayley, who acknowledged her house might have been filled to the ceilings with footballs if they had accepted all the kindness.
One of those rallying behind the young bully victim was Ben Tancock, who gave him a signed football shirt from Swansea AFC legend, Lee Trundle.
"It was a no brainer for me and my friend Dean to show our support. I'm a single father-of-three and I was a victim of bullying when I was growing up. I never got the help at the time but then I sort of had a growth spurt - I'm 6'1 and an ex-British strongman," said Ben.
"It is something that I've encountered happening to my own children. It's something that doesn't sit well with me and If I can change one child's outlook on it then I'm happy."
Not long after, Swansea AFC approached the family to offer their support and to give the young brothers a chance to be mascots on game-day when the team hosted Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, February 5.
The brothers enjoyed a penalty shootout against Cyril the Swan alongside VIP treatment with photos alongside club legends, and were able to witness a much-needed victory for the team.
Local charity, The Boot Room, have also offered their own support to Josh with a special hosted event greeting the 13-year-old to their Mitchell Powell Community Boot Room based in Pure Football.
The Boot Room offers football opportunities to anyone in need, by re-homing old disused football kit, enabling everyone to play the game they love.
Created by Carl Bradley, the project has grown from "strength to strength" recently with similar schemes set up all over the UK, and Carl wanted to reach out to Josh in support.
"It's everything we do at the Boot Room, coming together to play football and when I heard of what happened to Josh, I had to do something. I was the victim of bullying when I was younger and looking back I wished I'd had more support than what I received. I got upset when I heard what had happened to him.
"We want to show that bullies don't win" he said.
Offering the 13-year-old a brand new Liverpool Champions League ball, a rare Liverpool Carling Cup Winners medal from 2012, alongside a year's worth of 1-1 football training with Mackenzie Pro Academy, Carl said he was delighted to have met such a positive young man.
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