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Selfless teen helps distraught 6th grader who took the wrong bus

TOM O'BRIEN

Kenny O'Brien| Fair Use

Cerith Gardiner - published on 09/17/18

Reaching out to a new student was second nature to this generous-hearted high schooler.

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Starting a new school can be daunting, especially when you’re 11 years old, taking an unfamiliar bus route, and feeling scared. This is exactly how an anonymous sixth grader, who recently started middle school, felt when he realized he’d got on the wrong public bus, without any additional money for the one he was supposed to take. Worse still, had no phone to reach out for help.

Luckily, 15-year-old Tom O’Brien happened to be riding the same bus, saw what had happened, and generously gave the crying 11-year-old $13 to get a taxi home. According to the Liverpool Echo, the teen, who goes to Holy Family Catholic High School, thought it was totally normal to reach out to the distressed 6th grade student. According to Tom’s father, Kenny, a youth center manager, the teen helps out his friends at the center.

And the kindness continued. Two other 6th graders waited with the lost boy until the taxi arrived. What gives this story an even happier ending is that the taxi driver, hearing about the boy’s story, didn’t charge him for the ride.

The boy’s parents eventually returned the money to Tom O’Brien, and the incident has received some attention on Facebook and in the British press. But in his true selfless style, Tom is just happy to show teenagers in a positive light for a change, and that the boy got home safely.


TEEN

Read more:
Teen finds happiness in serving family

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ChildrenInspiration
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