British schoolboy says he’s ‘friends’ with Zelensky after president replies to letter

The Ukrainian chief mentioned folks like Thomas Handley, 12, ‘convey a smile to his face’ (Image: NNP)

A British schoolboy who wrote a letter to Volodymyr Zelensky is ‘thrilled’ after receiving a response from president himself.

Thomas Handley penned a message to the ‘finest Ukrainian president’ and slipped it in amongst a convoy of provides despatched to the war-torn nation by his faculty.

To his shock, the Ukrainian chief replied saying he had ‘introduced a smile to his face’ as his nation is left devastated by the Russian invasion.

The 12-year-old, from Durham, is carrying the letter round with him and says he's ‘mates’ with Mr Zelensky now.

In his preliminary letter, Thomas – who has studying difficulties – mentioned he hoped Mr Zelensky had meals for his nation and instructed him he's on his aspect within the struggle.

Kids at Durham Trinity Faculty and Sports activities School despatched over greater than 270 parcels containing medical provides, clothes, meals, toiletries and wheelchairs.

Thomas’ mum, Kimberley, mentioned: ‘Thomas got here house and instructed me he had written a letter to President Zelensky.

‘I mentioned, “That’s beautiful, however don’t anticipate a reply. The president may be very busy”.’

Thomas was ‘thrilled’ together with his letter (Image: North Information & Footage Ltd nort)

The schoolboy instructed Zelensky he was on his aspect (Image: North Information & Footage Ltd nort)

However the household was ‘amazed’ when the varsity, which helps kids with extra studying wants, contacted them with the information.

In his letter, Mr Zelensky wrote: ‘Thanks in your letter of assist. I'm OK and thanks in your assist.

‘We hope to convey peace to Ukraine and meals to the residents of all of the nation and rebuild the cities.

‘What you may have mentioned in our letter and what the UK does to assist brings a smile to my face and to many others.’

Kimberley mentioned she ‘was simply in shock and thought, “is that this actual?”’

‘Somebody as busy as President Zelensky has taken the time to put in writing to my son’, she mentioned.

‘We have been so proud, we phoned each single member of the family to allow them to know.’

Thomas, who has prader-willi syndrome and struggles with speech and language, has been protecting the letter near his chest because it arrived.

Thomas’ mum Kimberley mentioned she thought the president was ‘too busy’ to answer (Image: EPA)

Thomas and his mum phoned ‘each member of the family’ to allow them to know the information (Image: North Information & Footage Ltd nort)

His mum mentioned: ‘Thomas loves writing letters and so he has been thrilled by the response.

‘When he got here house he was so excited. He mentioned, “President Zelensky is my buddy now”.

‘We will likely be framing the letter and placing it on the wall, if we are able to prise it away from him!’

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