This fundraiser is now closed, however, if you would like to support the work of Tattoos and Tears, you can donate directly through our website: https://www.tattoosandtears.co.uk/support-us.

Thank you again for the support, it means the world to us.

My name is Tom Pardoe, I’m 25 years old, and I’m from the Wirral.

I am running a 72 mile challenge on the18th of October to with the aim to raise £1000 for the work of Tattoos & Tears CIC. Tattoos & Tears aims to work with people of all ages in the community who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing; Bullying, Substance Abuse, Risk of Incarceration and other issues that may lead to people going down a bad path.

You can read more about their work here: www.tattoosandtears.co.uk

My Story

From around the age of 13 I struggled deeply with the desire to be someone I wasn't. Driven by the need for acceptance, I often found myself doing things merely for the approval of others, sacrificing my true self and really hurting myself in the process.

At 17, I made a significant decision to join the Parachute Regiment, where I served for 4.5 incredible years, these were truly some of the best years of my life. The military instilled in me discipline, resilience, and a sense of belonging that I had been seeking for a long time. However, after I left the military in 2022, I faced a harsh reality: the challenge of adapting to civilian life left me feeling like my entire identity had been stripped away, resulting in me feeling that my life lacked purpose, and led to me pursuing a wild lifestyle and drinking culture.

This identity crisis spiralled into a life marked by excessive drinking, partying, gambling, and ultimately led to an attempt to take my own life earlier this year. For far too long, I struggled with alcohol, a battle that led to a series of poor decisions and damaged relationships. Yet, in my darkest moment, a turning point emerged. I recognized the urgent need for change and took accountability for my actions.

I jumped headfirst into my healing journey, forging connections with those around me, reconnecting with my inner child, and aligning with my core beliefs. This transformative experience has empowered me to regain control of my life. I now take full ownership of my past, acknowledging where I went wrong, and embracing the lessons learned along the way.

I believe my purpose in life is to set an example for others, to inspire them not to repeat the mistakes I made. I know that many young men grapple with the pressure to fit in, which can lead them down a troubled path.

To show to myself and others that change is not just possible but achievable, I am undertaking this challenge of running 72 miles on the 18th October. This challenge symbolises the message that you can change who you are, embrace your roots, and acknowledge your mistakes while allowing yourself to rise again.

I connected with Lee Blower, the Founder of Tattoos & Tears through mutual friends, and while I had met him a couple of times in social settings where our conversations were mostly superficial due to my intoxication. I recently had the opportunity to get to know him better on a Friday night over a 0% Peroni.

I can confidently say I’ve made a friend for life!

Lee’s story is truly incredible. Initially, I wasn’t sure about doing my 72-mile challenge for charity simply because I didn’t know which organization to support. I wanted to do it for personal growth and to set an example for others who might be struggling. However, after learning about Lee’s journey and the impact his organisation will have to our community, it was a cause that I really resonated with. So much so, I realised it’s only right to raise funds for this CIC. It has the potential to make a real difference in the lives of people from all walks of life, from children to adults he aims to reach anyone with a risk of going down a bad path like both he and I have done.