THIS year, the country was captivated by the story of a young boy from Bolton with a crippling skin condition.

Thousands of people from around the world came together to show Rhys Williams ‘he has a place on Earth’ — gifting him more than 23,000 birthday cards and presents.

Rhys has a rare condition called epidermolysis bullosa, leaving him covered in blisters and the skin on his hands and legs fused together.

After struggling for months, Rhys sent a tragic text to his mum, Tanya, saying he wished “a butterfly would come and take him away”.

The Bolton News launched a campaign with his devastated mum in September, asking people to send Rhys cards with well wishes in time for his 14th birthday — a milestone his family never thought he would reach.

His family were overwhelmed by the response.

Looking back on the year Ms Williams, from Smithills, said: “Earlier this year things where looking glum. We had our ups and downs with Rhys. I was out with friends one evening [and] I got a text from Rhys saying he can’t take anymore pain and that he wants the butterflies to come take him away.

“My heart was shattered into a million pieces, I didn’t know what to reply. I told him to keep fighting and that many people love him. I plastered my smile on and carried on the evening but with a heavy, shattered heart.

“I broke down eventually and poured my heart out to my friend and between us came up with the birthday card idea.”

Ms Williams continued: “Boy did we get a response. Never in a million years did I think it would go as big as it did. Two days after the paper published it, he was receiving cards and for two whole weeks he had his own post van.

“He had people visit us and lots of amazing gifts. The duplicate gifts he donated to other poorly children. In the run up to his birthday we had to get family and friends in to help open cards.”

The teenager received 23,000 cards and thousands more presents, but the effect on Rhys has been immeasurable.

His mum said: “The support he has received has given him the boost he needs. He now knows he has a place on Earth that is well deserved.

"Yes, he’s still in pain. Yes, it’s still so hard for him but he’s smiling, he’s happy and back to his ‘let’s bug people’ self.

“No amount of cards or love can make my boy the teenager he wants to be, but he now realises his life is worth living as much as he can.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every person who took the time to send Rhys a card or a present.

"He received some fantastic presents including a little puppy for him to care of — giving him something to look after and to take his mind off his painful life.”

Rhys is facing a difficult time ahead, with a hospital visit in the New Year.

Ms Williams said: “He’s not looking forward to the start of the year as he has a hospital admission on January 5 in Birmingham but once that’s out the way here’s hoping he has a happy year."