Benedict Cumberbatch, who celebrated his 36th birthday yesterday (the 19th of July 2012), has received quite the birthday present.
Thousands of Cumberbatch fans pulled together to celebrate his birth by donating money under his name to the Teenage Cancer Trust, an organization which the actor has been affiliated with in the past.
It began with Naomi Roper, of Cumberbatchweb.co.uk, a fan like any other. She had a small idea: “…instead of of spending money on a birthday card or a gift for Benedict, why not donate instead (leaving your birthday messages for Benedict in the comments) and do something wonderful in his name?”
She created the donation page on JustGiving.com with a mere goal of £1250, but much to her surprise it didn’t end there. Word spread like wildfire in the Tumblr and internet community and donations soon began rolling in.
As of today the fund has raised £9,027.71 and counting! That’s 722% of the original target. In addition, Ms. Roper and friends put together an 11 1/2 minute Youtube compilation of “Happy Birthday” fan submissions, at the end of which announced the charity donation under Cumberbatch’s name.
Several people went to work to make sure the video and announcement reached Mr. Cumberbatch. Twitter seemed to do the trick; early yesterday morning his friend James Rhodes, a concert pianist (@JrhodesPianist), confirmed he passed the video along. Much later in the evening, Cumberbatch’s friend Helen, a photographer on twitter (@Kite311), had his response as follows:
“I’ve a thank you message from BC for everyone who has contributed to his birthday,” she wrote. From Benedict: “The amount of effort, love, joy and celebration as well as money raised! I’m speechless. Pls pass on my love and gratitude. Thank you!! Bx”
Helen then mentioned that his message was truncated due to the 140 character limit. She continued, “he thinks it’s “amazing….stupefyingly wonderful” and sends love and gratitude and “thanks, thanks, thanks!!!” Lastly she says, “there’s personal stuff mixed in that I can’t share, but he’s very touched and grateful.”
Meanwhile fangirls around the world, including myself, are estatic to have been a part of such an incredible act and gift for a wonderfully humble and shockingly talented human being! Warm and fuzzy feels all around!
Please take a moment to visit the following links!
To see the fund and make a donation, go to this link.
Watch the birthday YouTube video below:
