Footballers, soap actors and pop stars have sent touching messages to a man with Down's Syndrome after his family appealed for help to lift his spirits during a Christmas hospital stay.
A sackful of Christmas and 'get well soon' cards have also been posted to Danny Benham, 28, of New Addington. who underwent heart bypass surgery on December 22, three days before his favourite day of the year.
Nearly 200 people have dispatched gifts and cards after heeding his family's call, while stars of his favourite TV programmes and beloved Crystal Palace football club have sent support.
Danny's cousin, Jemma Greenslade, of Wimbledon, hatched the plan to cheer him up after learning he would spend the festive season at Royal Brompton Hospital following the life-changing operation, which could more than double his life expectancy.
The X Factor host Dermot O'Leary, Eagles legend Ian Wright and Olympic champion swimmer Rebecca Adlington were among celebrities who responded to Miss Greenslade, 30, with messages of support for Danny.
And Danny Dyer, who plays Mick Carter in Danny's favourite programme Eastenders, even suggested he might visit him when he leaves hospital. He added: "Love and respect Dan. Wish I had a tenth of your bravery. Stay strong and positive.".
Mum-of-two Miss Greenslade, who described her cousin as "more like a brother", said her family had been touched by the kindness of strangers.
She said: "We are overwhelmed with the amount of people and amount of support we've got. We want to thank everybody who has supported us over the last two weeks. We are truly grateful for everything. There have been so many kind messages and presents from unexpected people.
"It has been brilliant. I think we've had about 180 cards and 40 or 50 replies from celebrities. He's a big Palace fan and got some tweets from Palace players. We read them out for him and he's really good, really excited."
Danny, of Homestead Way, has opened some of the cards and will be given the rest when he returns home. His family hope he will leave hospital next week after his discharge was delayed by a lung infection.
His mum, Carol, 49, who has stayed in hospital with him, said the operation to close two holes in his heart would "change his whole life".
@jemmag2504 get well soon Danny! Hope you have a full and quick recovery :) #GodBless
— joel ward (@joelward20) January 4, 2015
@jemmag2504 please send him my best wishes and that I'm thinking of him x
— Simon Webbe (@simonwebbe1) January 4, 2015
@jemmag2504 Love & Respect Dan. Wish I had a tenth of your bravery. Stay strong and positive.;)
— Danny Dyer (@MrDDyer) January 5, 2015
@jemmag2504 Maybe when he's ready I'll come and see him. x
— Danny Dyer (@MrDDyer) January 5, 2015
@jemmag2504 hey Danny hope you recover quick, stay strong x
— dwight gayle (@dwightgayle) January 4, 2015
@jemmag2504 hey Danny hope you have a good recovery stay strong and get well soon 👍
— Clinton Morrison (@morrisonclinton) January 4, 2015
@jemmag2504 Danny , wish you a quick recovery mate , all the very best from me and everyone at the club
— Steve Parish (@CEO4TAG) January 4, 2015
@jemmag2504 Happy NewYear Danny, i hope your feeling ok. I hope this year is good 2u &Makes u stronger theN you've ever been, Love Lisa x
— LISA MAFFIA (@Lisamaffiauk) January 5, 2015
@jemmag2504 Of course! Get well soon fella. X
— Dermot O'Leary (@radioleary) January 5, 2015
@jemmag2504 Aww bless him. My thoughts are with you Danny. Hope you make a quick recovery. Get well x
— Rebecca Adlington (@BeckAdlington) January 4, 2015
Want to send a message to Danny? Visit his Facebook page or send a card to Flat 73 Poplar Court, Gap Road, Wimbledon, SW19 8JW
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