A YOUNG boy has gone viral after being pictured holding his crying classmate's hand on their first day of school.

Christian Moore, eight, touched Facebook users by comforting autistic Connor Crites, also eight, as they started second grade at Minneha Elementary School in Wichita, Kansas earlier this month.

5 A photograph of a young boy comforting his autistic classmate has gone viral Credit: Facebook / Courtney Coko Moore

Connor had been "overwhelmed" outside the school gates, explaining to local news station KAKE: "[Christian] was kind to me. I started crying and then he helped me.

"And, I was happy... He found me and held my hand and I got happy tears."

Courtney Moore - Christian's mother - said: "I saw [Christian] on the ground with Connor as Connor was crying in the corner and he was consoling him.

"He grabs his hand and walks him to the front door. We waited until the bell rang and he walked him inside of the school. The rest is history. They have an inseparable bond."

5 Christian Moore (right) has been called a 'wonderful child' by Connor Crites' grandmother Credit: Facebook / Courtney Coko Moore

5 The boys have since developed an 'inseparable bond' Credit: Kake.com

April Crites - Connor's mother - told Courtney on Facebook: "I worry every day that he is going to get bullied for being different and your son just absolutely warmed my heart.

"If there were more children like him I wouldn't worry about such things."

His grandmother Daisy Harjo added: "Thank you so much ma'am for raising such a wonderful child.

"More parents need to teach their children how to be compassionate."

April later told KAKE: "I fear every day that someone is going to laugh at him because he doesn't speak correctly, or laugh at him because he doesn't sit still or because he jumps up and down and flaps his hands.

"It doesn't matter colour, it doesn't matter gender, it doesn't matter disability, and it doesn't matter anything, just be kind, open your heart... it's what we need in this world."

5 Connor's mother (right) said: 'More parents need to teach their children how to be compassionate' Credit: Kake.com

5 April Crites also thanked Christian on Facebook Credit: Facebook / Courtney Coko Moore

The image of Connor and Christian hand-in-hand has now gone viral, having been shared over 21,000 times.

It's even led to the creation of a Facebook group called "Christian & Connor Bridging The Gap".

The group states that its goal is to "bring peace & unity through our campaign, to shed positive light through acts of Kindness and love. There is no colour in love! [sic]."

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