Game of Thrones viewers were not happy with the final episode of the HBO fantasy, so much so that they started a petition to remake the final season.

However, the petition has since been hijacked – and for the best possible reason, too.

Earlier this year, Emilia Clarke (who plays the show’s Daenerys Targaryen) spoke for the first time about the two terrifying brain aneurysms she suffered aged just 24, shortly after filming the first season of Game of Thrones.

Clarke revealed how she was rushed to hospital after persistent headaches finally resulted in a collapse, and she was diagnosed with a lethal type of stroke. She ended up needing multiple brain surgeries, all whilst continuing to film for the show.

Since then, she has launched her own brain injury and stroke rehabilitation charity, SameYou. And now her fans have implored disgruntled GoT viewers to donate funds to the charity rather than expel hate over the final season.

Clarifying that it isn’t a “counter-petition” or an apology for the original anti-season eight petition, Game of Thrones fan and Reddit user Elle Ellaria describes the fundraiser as a way to “show that Game of Thrones fans appreciate the hard work of the incredible cast and crew despite their constraints”.

She adds that any disappointment was “not in them, but rather in the potential that was lost due to the rushed pace of storytelling.”

“And so, as a gesture of love and support from the fandom to the entire cast & crew – but also particularly to the woman who poured her very soul into her character, who delivered passionate speeches in High Valyrian and Dothraki in between questioning her very mortality, and inspired so many of us with her resilience,” added Ellaria.

“I am setting up this page as a public support of her charity.”

Responding to the JustGiving fundraiser (which has already raised over £94,000 for the cause), Clarke has now thanked her fans in an emotional Instagram message.

Seemingly overwhelmed with gratitude, the real-life Mother of Dragons says that she “so incredibly moved, blown away and grateful” for the fundraising page, and informed Ellaria and company that they are helping her “change the world of recovery and brain injury.”

“Bloody hell, I am one very lucky lady to have such kind, generous, shining spirited fans who are raising money for my chairty @sameyouorg,” she added in the video’s caption.

“[This] has made my day, week, month, year, decade, and I couldn’t think of a more beautiful way to wave goodbye to the mother of dragons than with this step towards making brain injury sufferers feel less alone.

“YOU ARE MY HEROES. I am the one who should be bending the knee to you.”

It’s nice to see something good coming from such a negative and unrealistic call to remake one of the biggest TV series of all time. Game of Thrones fans, we salute you.

Images: Getty, Instagram