Tom, who was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease in 2014, is thrilled to be attending our flagship WALK IT event in London and is excited to perform to supporters.
Because of the stigma surrounding Crohn's and Colitis, far too many people are suffering in silence - but this summer, thousands of people will WALK IT together to raise funds and vital awareness of these lifelong diseases.
Tom will be showing his support by performing at WALK IT London on Saturday 8 June.
After suffering with Crohn’s for the last 10 years, I’m very proud to be raising awareness & money for the charity. I think it’s going to be a really special day.
Tom started his music career supporting acts such as Ed Sheeran, Ben Howard, Travis and Keane with the music industry circling around like sharks eager to sign him until, in 2014, he discovered he had Crohn’s Disease.
He started work on his debut album in Belfast at the beginning of 2018 until a second flare of Crohn’s knocked him back. His bowel perforated and yet again forced him into hospital for over two months, narrowly missing out on further surgery.
There’s also a wider impact on my friends and family that is probably equally as important. I’ve spent three Christmases in hospital, and that is never going to be easy for everyone else around me - there’s a ripple effect to this disease in that your limitations can affect how others live their life.
However, with every negative setback Tom finds a positive. Whilst in hospital, heartbroken after breaking up with his girlfriend, and with a cannula in his hand, he put pen to paper. He later finished writing that song with Lisa Hannigan as soon as he got out of hospital, and recorded the track in Abbey Road Studios.
Tom’s career continues to go from strength to strength regardless of his Crohn’s with constants performances. His first album ‘Collide’ is out from 12 April and his European headline tour starts in April.
It takes guts to live with these lifelong diseases and that’s why the charity is bringing people together to march through the streets of Bristol, Swansea, London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Birmingham and Plymouth this summer.
