Internet users shower dying man with letters (because he loves opening them) after appeal by nephew

Strangers have been sending a terminally ill man hundreds of letters to cheer him up - because he loves opening post.



Scott Widak, 47, from Plainville, Massachusetts, is suffering from liver disease and Down's Syndrome and is spending his dying days bedridden.



A month ago his nephew, Sean O'Connor posted a message on Reddit asking if anyone wanted to write to his his uncle as he needed cheering up.

Happy: Scott Widak, 47, is suffering from liver disease and Down's Syndrome. He is pictured with some of the mail delivered by well-wishers

Parcel force: The mail arrived when Sean O'Connor posted a message on Reddit asking if anyone wanted to write to his uncle as he needed cheering up

Four weeks on he has received more than a 1,000 letters, drawings, stuffed animals, films and other presents from generous members of the public.

Mr O'Connor, a 27-year-old filmmaker from Boston, wrote on the Reddit forum: ' Hey Reddit - my 47 year old uncle, Scott Widak, has Down syndrome and is terminally ill with liver disease.



'He is currently bedridden and living out his last days at home with my 85 year old grandmother.



'One of his favorite things to do is open mail … anyone feel like sending him a letter or card?'

Scott and Sean with some of the gifts and mail received following the Reddit post. He has received more than 1,000 letters but can no longer open them as he's bedridden

The post attracted 1,300 comments and users began to request the address from Mr O'Connor and the post began to flood to Mr Widak's home from around the world.



Mr O'Connor said at first his uncle was confused but then the notes and packages 'started to grow on him.'



He said the mail gave him a new burst of energy and he likes opening them with a letter opener with his grandmother.

Mr O'Connor said his family had been very touched by the outpouring of support and best wishes from strangers all over the world - including this one from Tokyo

Mr O'Connor said the post had all been 'extremely positive and thoughtful' and said he and his family were amazed at how 'so many strangers could come together for a random act of kindness'

Mr O'Connor said the post had all been 'extremely positive and thoughtful' and said he and his family were amazed at how 'so many strangers could come together for a random act of kindness', Mashable.com said.



Among the gifts were Johnny Cash CDs - one of Mr Widak's favourite musicians - and one man's lucky coin which he had been holding on to for 14 years - however, unfortunately it was lost in the post.

