'Walk of Gratitude': 100-year-old veteran in London, Ont. completes 100 mile walk for homeless vets
With his wife Joyce on his arm, Tom Hennessy left Victoria Park in London, Ont. to complete his 100-mile walk to raise money for homeless veterans.
“I exercise everyday, so I feel great right now,” said Hennessy, who was originally going to walk 100 kilometres, but changed it to a 100 mile walk.
Hennessy served in the Royal Air Force (RAF). He flew 200 hours in the famed marine Spitifire fighter over the combat theatres of the North Atlantic, England, Mediterranean and Italy.
Seventy to 80 years later, Hennessy decided to start walking to raise funds for homeless veterans.
Standing in front of the cenotaph at Victoria Park, he is thrilled that his campaign has surpassed $25,000.
“The fundraising is still going until November so people can still contribute,” said Hennessy. “I thank everybody who has helped. It’s a walk for a gratitude for this country, for what we have, and for the people that are here. It's saying thank you to veterans.”
Randy Warden, a Zone Commander with the Royal Canadian Legion (RCL) said Tom’s “selfless act” will aid many young veterans in dire need.
“The homeless veteran problem is perpetual, it’s ongoing. If we had every veteran off the street today, someone is going to run into challenges tomorrow,” Warden said.
Bruce Stock, a veteran and RCL member, helped Tom with the 100-mile walk.
“I think we all agree the public is ready for some good news, and Tom Hennessy’s Walk of Gratitude is good news in spades,” he explained.
It is fitting that the walk wrapped up on Canada Day, as Hennessy raved about his country.
“Canada Day is a day that I am so proud and lucky to be a Canadian,” he said. “It’s so safe, and this country is a jewel in the world. We have our problems, sure we do, but we work together. So that's what this is about, a walk of gratitude.”
He added he is unsure whether he’ll keep walking.
“This is enough for now,” Hennessy joked.
— With files from CTV News London's Sean Irvine
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
BREAKING Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter banned from NBA
Toronto Raptors player Jontay Porter has been handed a lifetime ban from The National Basketball Association (NBA) following an investigation which found he disclosed confidential information to sports bettors, the league says.
WATCH LIVE As GC Strategies partner is admonished by MPs, RCMP confirms search warrant executed
The RCMP confirmed Wednesday it had executed a search warrant at an address registered to GC Strategies. This development comes as MPs are enacting an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power, summoning one of its contractors to appear before the House of Commons to be admonished publicly for failing to answer questions related to the ArriveCan app.
Disappointment widespread over budget's proposed $200-month disability benefit funding
Advocacy groups across Canada are expressing widespread disappointment about the amount of funding earmarked in the 2024 federal budget for the long-awaited Canada Disability Benefit.
Earthquake jolts southern Japan
An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.4 hit southern Japan late on Wednesday, said the Japan Meteorological Agency, without issuing a tsunami warning.
opinion Don Martin: Gusher of Liberal spending won't put out the fire in this dumpster
A Hail Mary rehash of the greatest hits from the Trudeau government’s three-week travelling pony-show, the 2024 federal budget takes aim at reversing the party’s popularity plunge in the under-40 set, writes political columnist Don Martin. But will it work before the next election?
Ancient skeletons unearthed in France reveal Mafia-style killings
More than 5,500 years ago, two women were tied up and probably buried alive in a ritual sacrifice, using a form of torture associated today with the Italian Mafia, according to an analysis of skeletons discovered at an archeological site in southwest France.
Paul McCartney and John Lennon’s sons have released a single together
A new Lennon and McCartney collaboration is the last thing anybody expected.