A HEROIC soldier who is set to walk back to his home town from where he is currently posted in Belgium has vowed to raise cash for Barnsley Hospice for the care its staff gave to his late father.
Tommy Davies, 34, is a British Royal Engineer soldier from Barnsley and will embark on a 200-mile, week-long walk - which will begin in Mons before a ferry takes him from Rotterdam to Hull where the hike will re-commence - in May.
Tommy’s dad, Lee, died on October 6 at the age of 62 following an almost year-long battle with lung cancer.
He described his dad as one of his best friends.
Tommy said: “My dad had been fighting lung cancer for less than a year and naively I really believed the treatment would work.
“At the end of July I was posted overseas with the military and my dad was so excited for me and my family.
“I knew as soon as he was well enough he would be out to visit and we would go fishing and sample a few Belgian beers, I even got all new fishing tackle knowing that a visit was on the horizon.
“My dad was truly my best friend and my three boys thought he was the best man to walk the planet.
“Nothing was better than a sausage roll on the train on the way to Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium with their grandad.”
Tommy flew back to the UK after hearing that his dad had been put on end-of-life care at Barnsley Hospice.
He says he treasured the 13 days he managed to spend by his dad’s side before he died.
“Those 13 days meant the world to me and Barnsley Hospice took care of me as much as they took care of my dad,” he added.
“They fed me, they were all so kind, caring and they allowed me to have that time with my dad that I and he so desperately needed.
“They were so good to him that my dad actually believed he was in a hotel.
“We spent hours listening to our favourite tracks on YouTube, we watched every episode of Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, we even had a few beers while watching Man City - they were the best and worst days of my life.
“I’m so grateful to Barnsley Hospice, and I imagine I’m just one of many people who have stepped foot in those doors to spend their final days with their loved one.”
In tribute to his dad and to raise money for the hospice, Tommy will walk 200 miles on his own in a bid to give something back.
Keeleigh Davies, Tommy’s wife, told the Chronicle: “Tommy is raising funds for Barnsley Hospice.
“He is walking across seven days from Belgium to Barnsley - one of the days is even his birthday so he will be walking alone on his birthday.
“The date of arrival in Barnsley is Saturday, May 24.
“So far the fundraiser has exceeded the target in less than 24 hours which is fantastic.
“Tommy speaks so highly of the hospice and the care his dad received, and also that Barnsley Hospice took great care of the rest of the family.”
Hannah Clarkson, challenge events manager at the hospice, added: “It’s really humbling that Tommy is taking on such a huge walking challenge for Barnsley Hospice and we can’t express our gratitude enough towards him for what’s sure to be a mammoth but memorable journey.
“Providing outstanding care for our patients and their loved ones is at the heart of everything we do, and it’s heart-warming to know Tommy had such a positive experience creating memories whilst staying alongside his dad Lee, who was so clearly loved by his family.
“We want to wish Tommy the best of luck for his walk and we can’t wait to welcome him over the finish line.”
To donate to the fundraiser, follow the link https://www.justgiving.com/page/tommy-davies-back-to-blighty?utm_medium=qrcode&utm_source=offline
TOMMY’S MISSION
Leg One: Mons - Dilbeek (32 miles)
Leg Two: Dilbeek - Antwerp (27 miles)
Leg Three: Antwerp - Dinteloord (34 miles)
Leg Four: Dinteloord - Sommelsdijk (19 miles)
Leg Five: Sommelsdijk - Rotterdam Ferry Port (23 miles)
Leg Six: Hull Ferry Port - Thorne (36 miles)
Leg Seven: Thorne - Barnsley (27 miles)
