News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A transgender man has has revealed how he has sent thousands of cards to LGBT+ people who have been disowned by their families.

Ellis Roberts-Wright, 21, started the Rainbow Cards project from his home in Axminster, Devon, to help those over come loneliness, especially at Christmas.

Just five years ago, Ellis was bed bound with ME and unable to move, brush their own teeth or even hold a conversation.

He revealed how he was cut off from the world and depended on parents for everything, reports DevonLive .

Ellis was able to communicate with the outside world through his letters and the comfort he took in is one of the main reasons why they decided to start the Rainbow Cards project.

(Image: Rob Tibbles / SWNS)

Ellis said: “When I came out as bisexual I was overwhelmed by how supportive my parents were and it made me think about the people who aren’t supported."

The idea was an immediate success and Ellis ended up sending 4,000 cards to people in 35 countries last year. This year, they are planning to send even more.

Ellis said: “I think the youngest person I’ve sent a card to was 13. Fifty is the oldest.

"The majority are in America but some are in countries where it’s illegal to be gay. There’s a lot of people from religious backgrounds, a lot of people from the bible belt.

"There are also quite a lot in Britain.

“I get emails from people or a card thanking me. But it’s for them, it’s not about me.

(Image: Rob Tibbles / SWNS)

"There are a lot of people who say ‘this is the only card I’ve gotten.’ I’ve had so many people tell me they cried when they got it. A couple of people said it saved their lives because they felt so isolated.

“For trans recipients it’s quite a big thing. A lot of them don’t have people in their life who call them by their own name, or address them by the right pronoun.”

Ellis’s method is quite simple: people can sign up to become a recipient through a form on the project’s website therainbowcardsproject.org .

They can also sign up to write cards, which go to a PO box address. Ellis processes the cards and sends them to the addresses, which are kept private.

(Image: Rob Tibbles / SWNS)

Ellis said: “I don’t give out addresses. My main focus is on safety. I wanted people from unsafe situations to be able to sign up without any fear.

"I knew all the cards would have to come through me, so I’d need a PO box.”

“When the project is in the press I get a lot of ‘why are you doing this, there’s much bigger problems in the world’. I think people don’t really understand people not getting Christmas cards is a symptom of a much larger rejection.

"It’s not the Christmas cards, it’s that their family doesn’t love and support them anymore.”

For more information about the Rainbow Cards Project visit www.therainbowcardsproject.org or go to the GoFundMe page at uk.gofundme.com/f/the-rainbow-cards-project .