Badly burnt girl in US gets Christmas cards from Obama, Katy Perry

Badly burnt girl in US gets Christmas cards from Obama, Katy Perry

When 8-year-old Safyre Terry was asked about what she wanted for Christmas, it was a simple answer - Christmas cards.

The New Yorker, who lost her entire family in an alleged arson attack two years ago, got her present this year when several people, including US president Barack Obama and US First Lady Michelle Obama, helped her fulfil her wish.

The Obama family were not the only ones who responded to Terry's request. Other celebrities who surprised her by sending her cards and gifts included pop stars Katy Perry and Beyonce.

According to US Weekly magazine, Terry is the "happy owner of a very special card from pop star Katy Perry", who also sent her a care package of Christmas gifts.

The gifts did not stop there. Terry also received a trip to Disney World and more than US$400,000 (S$564,000), reported CBS News.

The wish for Christmas cards was first shared by her paternal aunt and guardian, Liz Dolder, on Dec 3, when she bought her niece a Christmas tree. The request soon went viral, and was also shared by professional wrestler and actor Hulk Hogan.

Dolder runs a Facebook page in support of the girl.

According to the US Postal Service, Terry received more than 700,000 letters and more than 16,000 packages in less than three weeks.

Terry suffered burns so severe that she lost a hand and a foot in the attack. Her 32-year-old father and three younger siblings were killed in the house fire in New York. She was found lying next to her father who had used his body to shield her from the flames.

Although she suffered burns on 75 per cent of her body, she survived the vicious attack.

stephluo@sph.com.sg

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