Grandad driving coast to visit 100 hospitals to thank the NHS arrives in Cornwall
Tommy is raising money for charities that help support those who have lost loved ones
Last updated 12th Aug 2021
A granddad who is visiting 100 hospitals in 30 days to thank the NHS has arrived in Cornwall.
Tommy Kennedy set himself the challenge following the death of his pregnant daughter-in-law a few months ago to an illness.
He said he wanted to do something positive and show support for all those who tried their hardest to save them.
Tommy is visiting hospitals to pay tribute to the hard working staff and say thank you - as well as raising money for charities that help those who've lost a loved one.
He has set up a Just Giving page aiming to raise £1,000 pounds.
Tommy set off from his home in Brighton and is driving the coast heading towards Lands End and sleeping in his car.
He has already visited Bodmin, Looe and St Austell and says he has met some incredibly kind people along the way.
Posting on his Just Giving page, Tommy said: "0ver 3 months ago I received a call from my daughter 11pm to say a tragedy had happened in our family. A loss of two beautiful people. This obviously was heart breaking & to see my family in pain I personally for my own reasons could not see that. I am weak? Am I a coward? Was this one to many tragedies in my life that could make a decision for me. I was not prepared to gamble on that. Gone I am no use to no one. Life has been different from a child yet its the life I have been given and I have also made decisions that have affected me and others. I hurt many people emotionally not physically and 18 months ago turned that personal corner, the hell was living one a daily basis.
"At 50 I was tired of being tired of having enough. I met people that helped and supported me change and work with an illness I have that will never go away and I get a daily reprieve "one day at a time" I could not see my son, grandson, family members be in pain my recovery would not take it, I don't expect people to understand and this is not a sympathy request its just an illness I have, it cannot be seen in me. I have had connection with all the charities that we are raising for. I spent many long periods in Women's Aid and consecutive Christmas's and many birthdays. If they were not there then who knows what would have happened. Someone very special and their family have links with The Royal Marsden Hospital and my dad was also treated there. I have personal knowledge of how Diabetes effects many people and the work that the doctors, nurses and NHS do to support that illness both Type 1 & 2. I recently had my prostate check at 52......longer than I should have waited and encourage all man to do that simple check. Strongmen is very close to my heart currently supporting my son through a life changing tragedy.
"There are more "war stories" yet that is not important...what we can do is. So I have chosen to go on a month long fundraiser, cope with my own losses, support others, maintain my recovery and thank the NHS and others for all they do plus have done."