What would you do if a middle-aged man with special needs tried to hold your hand?

Godfrey you’ve made our day.

It’s being hailed as the image that has won the Internet – the actions of a hero.

And it sure does restore your faith in humanity.

The photo of a student holding the hand of a special needs man has touched the hearts of tens of thousands of people around the world – and made many more question would they do the same thing? Or step away?

21-year-old Godfrey Coutto from Hamilton, near Toronto in Canada was on the local bus last week when he was approached by middle aged man who shook his hand.

The young student said the man, named Robert wrapped his arms around him, shook his hand and didn’t let go.

He told Global News that at first he was taken aback.

“I was like, ‘Yo, what’s going on? Am I getting pranked or something?” I wasn’t. I looked at him [and realised] he’s special needs,” Coutto said.

Robert, a middle aged man who has cerebral palsy and is deaf continued to hold Godfrey’s hand.

Godfrey said at first he was concerned but he then realised the man was just communicating in his own way.

“This was my first time encountering such a thing. I was obviously freaked out but I tried to understand his position,” said Coutto.

“I thought, you know what, I’m just going to allow it. I’ll let him do his thing. I’ll comfort him.’”

During the entire 30-minute bus journey Robert held and kissed his hand, and hugged and leaned against him and Godfrey allowed him. He didn’t evade his grip or shirk awkwardly. He sat there in a position that how many of us would remain in?

It mades you wonder…

Godfrey didn’t do it for glory or thanks – or social media “viral” fame he did it because he knew it could help Robert.

The only reason we know of Godfrey’s gesture of kindness is that a fellow passenger took a photo of the two men and shared it on a local Facebook page.

The simple act of kindness liked and celebrated more than 40,000 times.

“This is one story I am not tired of seeing in my newsfeed today.” wrote one commenter on Facebook.

The family of Robert heard about Godfrey’s actions and reached out to him via social media to say thanks.

Robert’s niece writing  “Despite the amount of bad news I hear daily, its so comforting to hear that there are still good people out there. Uncle Bobby is having an extremely hard time at home knowing his Mom is “sick” but doesn’t have an understanding of what dementia is. His mom would be so proud of this post as she fought for people like Bobby to be accepted, go Nanna!

“So thank you to the hundreds of people he comes across daily that will hug him for 5 mins, do a handshake with him for 10, give up there bus seat and just lend a helping hand. A small gesture like this could make his day. This is so unbelievably heart warming for me to see, so very comforting and appreciated!! Over 9k likes and 500 comments already. Bobs and this gentleman are going viral hahah, my smile is ear to ear. And be kind to everyone you come across, you never know peoples stories and what they may be dealing/ or suffering with. EVERYBODY SHARE LETS GET THESE 2 ON THE ELLEN SHOW “

And  it turns out that this young man has it all,  Godfrey melted our hearts even more when he thanked the one person who taught him to be kind.

He told local radio station Kiss 92.5 he was raised by “a queen.”

“My mum has done everything for me. She actually deserves the whole world. She disciplined me a lot,” he said.

“My mum is my number one role model.”

Godfrey says he doesn’t believe he is a hero but he is hoping that his act of kindness can get others to “share the love” posting this on Twitter:

“To be honest I’m no role model” he said ” [I’m] no hero, but I hope to inspire people from what I did,” he said.

You have certainly done that Godfrey. And more.