HUGH JACKMAN has led the messages of support for a nine-year-old boy who went viral after his mum shared a video of him saying he wanted to kill himself.
Quaden Bayles from Queensland, Australia, was filmed in floods of tears telling his mum: “Give me a rope, I want to kill myself.”
In the distressing footage, captured on Facebook Live, Quaden goes on to say: “I just want to stab myself in the heart… I want someone to kill me.”
In the video his mum explains: ‘I’ve just picked up my son from school, witnessed a bullying episode, rang the principal and I want people to know – parents, educators, teachers – this is the effect that bullying has.’
She claims to have seen another pupil patting Quaden on the head head and mocking his height when she arrived to pick him up.
“I want people to know how much it is hurting us as a family,” she added.
“I’ve got a son that is suicidal [after] anything that happens at school or in public, which is almost every time we’re in public.”
Hey little man. For what it’s worth you have taught my family so much. You have inspired us and in our home you are a hero. Thank you for your courage, stay strong the world is watching and you have so much beautiful power. From me and my boys. We are with you and we thank you. https://t.co/QuTL0vvnor
— Jon Bernthal (@jonnybernthal) February 20, 2020
The video has since gone viral, sparking a glut of supportive responses from celebrities and members of the public in kind.
Taking to Twitter, Jackman posted a video offering some kind words for the nine-year-old.
“Quaden, you are stronger than you know, mate,” Jackman said in the video.
“And no matter what, you’ve got a friend in me.
“So, everyone lets please be kind to each other, bullying is not OK.”
He added: “Life is hard enough, so let’s remember, every person in front of us is facing some kind of battle, so let’s just be kind.”
Quaden - you’ve got a friend in me. #BeKind @LokelaniHiga https://t.co/8dr3j2z8Sy pic.twitter.com/jyqtZYC953
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) February 20, 2020
Those sentiments were echoed by fellow Hollywood star James Woods, who wrote:“Hang in there, Quaden! You’ve got more friends than you know. I was bullied a lot as a kid. We’ve all been there. Go, Quaden!”.
Fellow actor Josh Gad also posted a message of support.
"There is perhaps nothing more heartbreaking and debilitating than seeing a child take this kind of bullying to heart," he wrote.
"As someone who was bullied as a child and to this day gets bullied by trolls online, I can safely say with confidence that you are so much more special, beautiful."
Jeffrey Dean Morgan also reached out.
"What I want you to know is that you have friends — me included. I am your buddy," he said in a video.
"You haven't met me yet, but we'll see if we can change that. Maybe your mom can DM me."
— Jeffrey Dean Morgan (@JDMorgan) February 20, 2020
Donald Trump’s son Eric Trump also shared the video, encouraging Quaden to “stay strong”.
NBA player Enes Kanter, meanwhile, tweeted, “the world is behind you” and even offered tickets to a game.
The NRL’s Indigenous All Stars team also invited Quaden to lead them out onto the field when they face the Maori All Stars this coming Saturday.
Brad Williams, a comedian with dwarfism, even started a fundraising campaign to pay for Quaden to go to Disneyland with his family.
Incredibly, the fundraiser smashed its target, raising more than $250,000 (US$169,432).
