Today we celebrate fatherhood and those who have played that role in our lives.
Father’s Day is such a perfect opportunity for us to reflect on the father figures in our lives and appreciate the wonderful things they do.
Here at the News Shopper, we have had the opportunity to hear about some dads doing incredible things.
Below is a selection of stories which feature south east London dads who have inspired us:
Tom Golding – Cycling 400 miles to raise money for a children’s hospital
Tom Golding is a dad of two who is planning to cycle 400 miles across the Scottish Highlands to raise money for Evelina Children’s Hospital next month.
Tom is a teacher from Sidcup and he will be riding for five days.
He will be tackling the challenge alongside seven riders and two support drivers between July 25 and 29.
So far, the group has raised £3,615 of their £5,000 target.
Tom and his wife Becky hold Evelina Children’s Hospital close to their heart, as both their two young children, Isabelle and William, have needed frequent care from the hospital.
- Read more about Tom and his fundraiser here: Sidcup dad to cycle Scottish Highlands for Evelina Children’s Hospital
Charles George Sheppard – Solider during World War One whose artifacts have been returned to his son
Charles George Sheppard fought in World War One and earned three medals – Pip, Squeak and Wilfred – which were the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
His son, Leonard Sheppard, of Eaton Road in Sidcup, was recently returned the photos and medals of his dad after Sidcup Library could no longer store them 92-year-Leonard was delighted to be reunited with his dad’s World War One artefacts.
Leonard told the News Shopper: “My father, Charles, was a soldier in the Berkshire regiment during World War one.
“People are often surprised when I tell them my dad fought in the first world war.
“He was too old to fight during the second world war, so he won a fourth medal by working as a home guard.”
“When I was of age to join the military, I joined the Royal Air Force and my dad walked me to the station and asked me to let him know what rifle and bayonet I would be given.
“When I returned home, I told him it was a 303 Lee-Endfield rifle, and he said it was exactly the same one he used during the first world war.
“My dad didn’t talk much about the war, but I did see his wounds when he came home.
“He found it very hard.”
- Find out more about Charles and his son Leonard: Meet the Sidcup man, 92, who is delighted to be reunited with dad’s WWI artefacts
Frank Matthews – Taking supplies to Poland to help those suffering in Ukraine
Frank Matthews is a father who has driven from the UK to Poland’s border to deliver emergency supplies to war-torn Ukraine.
Frank who lives in Greenwich set up a JustGiving page – Lviv and Let Live – and has now raised more than £73,00 for supplies for Ukraine.
The money is used for items such as specialist frontline trauma kits and portable generators.
Since his first trip to the Polish border, Frank has continued delivering supplies as well as meeting refugees.
The 49-year-old broker said he wanted to do something to help as he watched Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “with horror”.
- Read more about Frank’s first trip and his campaign here: Greenwich dad to drive emergency supplies to Ukraine
Daniel Kernahan – Dad who has made £280,000 in a year after being made redundant
Daniel Kernahan started a waste removal business in lockdown and made £280,000 in a year after being made redundant in March 2020.
The 31-year-old dad who is originally from Lewisham, but now living in Kent, started his Kernahan Contractors business during lockdown.
He took online courses for five weeks, self-taught himself to code and create a website where customers can book for waste to be recycled and collected.
He told The News Shopper: “When I first started the business, my aim was to provide money for my six-year-old daughter through the lockdown, and I had intentions of going back to my work on building sites.
“But by the time the public could go back to their standard jobs, the business was already at six employees, two vehicles, and two waste yards – one in Rochester and the other in Charlton.
“Now we have over 15 employees across both areas, including my partner, Vesta, who helps out with the operations behind the website.”
Daniel says the motivation behind his business is inspired by his dad.
He added: “My dad would implement businesses similar to how I have – this is because I learnt from him growing up.
“We still have a great relationship and I chat to him all the time.”
- Find out more about Daniel and his business: Lewisham man makes 280k with waste removal lockdown business
We wish all the dads and father figures the absolute best Fathers Day!
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