A Texas couple raised nearly $40,000 for a bullied boy who knocked on their door looking for friends in a heartbreaking moment captured by a doorbell camera.
Brennan Ray and Angell Hammersmith started the GoFundMe last Wednesday in hopes of making Shayden Walker’s summer after Ray posted the video.
It showed the boy approaching their home in Amarillo asking if they knew of any children between the ages of 11 and 12 because he “really needs friends.”
Walker, wearing a Jaws t-shirt, then explains that some neighborhood kids had bullied him.
The video has since been viewed more than 66 million times, with TikTokers from around the world saying they hope he finds “REAL friends” soon and saying “I’ve never wanted to hug a kid so much in my life.”
Walker’s stepdad now says Shayden is a “completely different kid” to last week, while the young boy said in a video on his dad’s TikTok page that “you all touched my heart so much it’s just literally too the point’ where I want to cry.’
Shayden Walker knocked on his neighbors door in Amarillo, Texas, last week looking for friends
Homeowner Brennan Ray, left, posted the doorbell camera footage to TikTok and he and his wife, Angell Hammersmith, decided to start a GoFundMe for the bullied boy
The online fundraiser raised more than $37,000 for the boy and his family before Walker’s mother asked on Friday that donations be stopped
In the doorbell camera footage posted online Wednesday, Ray could be heard asking the boy, “What’s up man?” as Walker approaches his door.
At that moment the boy replies: ‘Hello. I just wanted to see if you know any kids 11 or 12 maybe because I need some friends. Like, really bad.”
Ray then directed Walker to a house down the street, where he said he knew two children lived there.
But Walker replies, “Well, uh, they’re not my friends anymore because they’re bullies to me.”
He then decides to ask Ray if he has children, to which the homeowner says he does – but his daughter is only 2 years old.
“Oh, okay, that’s great,” Walker replies hopefully. “I love 2-year-olds to be honest, they’re just the cutest things I’ve ever known,” telling how he enjoyed playing with his younger sister when she was 2.
Instead, Ray promises to say “hello” to the boy when he sees him in town.
“Okay, have a nice day,” Walker says before walking away.
A follow-up video posted to Ray’s account showed Walker approaching the house about half an hour earlier, but flinching back.
In that video, Ray says he and his wife would start a GoFundMe for the boy “to help him set up a drug game, get some school clothes [and] theme park tickets.
“Let’s get together and show him he’s got some friends.”
The fundraiser had raised more than $37,000 for the boy and his family before Walker’s mother asked on Friday that donations be stopped.
The family said they are not looking for money as they mentioned how Shayden enjoys playing Fortnite, his PlayStation and the game Rainbow Six Siege.
Shayden’s mother, Krishna, turned off GoFundMe donations on Friday, saying the family is not seeking money
Walker’s stepfather, Dustin, posted a video saying his stepson is a “completely different kid” than last week, while Shayden thanked everyone for their support
The boy likes to play Fortnite, his PlayStation and the game Rainbow Six Siege
Many people from around the world also shared their support for the young boy, with one man commenting, “Shayden, you are a strong boy. No one deserves to be bullied or ridiculed.
“You are incredibly brave for putting yourself out there and actively looking for friends instead of staying in the house.
“I know you’re young, but the best advice I can give you is that all you need is someone’s validation to know your worth,” the man noted. “If you love yourself, you are never alone.”
Another person added, “This child, like many, is special and just wants a place in this world… this family shared a memorable moment with the world and it was beautiful!!!
“Our children need genuine kindness.”
After GoFundMe closed Friday, Ray and Hammersmith posted another video saying they expect “no support at all,” noting that they only had an initial goal of $7,000.
“We’re thankful to be able to do this for this young man and we’re thankful for all of you,” the pair said, with Hammersmith noting that they were trying to arrange a time to meet the boy.
They also said Walker’s mom has turned off donations, but the money will stay in the GoFundMe until she says otherwise.