Twitter Helps Soldier's Christmas Wish Come True

Picture: James, Thomas and Cindy Dutton

A soldier has been overwhelmed by "the kindness of complete strangers" after Twitter users helped make his severely autistic son's Christmas wish come true.

Colour Sergeant James Dutton's son Thomas asked for “Postman Pat's Prize Postbag” on VHS on his handwritten Christmas list.

However, CSgt Dutton could not find the Postman Pat item anywhere and after searching on eBay, Amazon, he took to Twitter.

More than 7,500 tweets later, including a mention from Strictly Come Dancing star Brendan Cole, a copy of the elusive video was finally found.

Jill Hulme, from Bournemouth, saw that @BrendanCole had shared it, and contacted Mr Dutton to tell him that she had a copy that she was about to give to charity.

"It really is a wonderful story which I'm so grateful to be part of," she said.

"I have three boys who, when I told what had happened, were so pleased to hear that Thomas would be getting such a great surprise on Christmas morning."

CSgt Dutton, and Ms Dutton, a nurse, are set to collect the VHS from Bournemouth this weekend.

CSgt Dutton, who plays the flute on prestigious ceremonial occasions as part of his Army duty, said:

"Thomas is autistic with a severe learning disability, and finds the written word easier than speaking to express himself.”

"It's only been the third Christmas that he has really been aware of being able to ask for presents."

Thomas wrote the list over the weekend and it consists of entirely second-hand gifts, from a Monsters University jigsaw to more videos with Postman Pat and Fireman Sam.

"He has always been obsessed with children's characters,” added the 48-year-old soldier.

"He loves watching the episodes he finds on YouTube. However, he also likes having a physical copy to line up with other ones near his bed."

In a joint comment the parents said: "It will mean a huge amount for Thomas on Christmas Day.

"Nothing he asks for is a high-cost item, but it's all about the value to him and his innocent child-like enjoyment of life.

"We have both been overwhelmed by the response from members of the public, with so many suggestions, advice and offers to search garages and attics on our behalf!

"I think the biggest thing that we have learned is the power of social media for good things, and the kindness of complete strangers."