FRIENDS of veteran Inverclyde fancy dress fundraiser Tommy Armstrong are appealing for help to get him back on the road again.

Greenock Telegraph:

in his guise as Tommy the Clown, the kind senior citizen has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for good causes by travelling all over the country taking part in marathons, races and sponsored walks.

But at the age of 83 he now finds himself having difficulty getting to events after his old car gave up the ghost.

Now his friends from various groups who have benefited from his generous donations are hoping to give something back by highlighting his appeal for help.

Greenock Telegraph:

John McGovern, a trustee of Children in Poverty Inverclyde, said: "As everyone knows, Tommy throughout the years has devoted much of his own time to helping others, by raising funds for many great and deserving causes.

"He has raised in excess of over £350,000 within Inverclyde and further afield for British Heart Foundation, Ardgowan Hospice, Diabetes UK, Marie Curie, Cancer Research UK, NHS and ourselves.

"So many more people have all benefited from his continued fundraising."

Four years ago Tommy found himself without a car and kind-hearted businesswoman Hassia Chalmers stepped in to organise a fundraiser.

But unfortunately he was unable to keep the car on the road and now has to use public transport to carry of all his gear.

Tommy recently handed over £350 to CIPI from a trip to Rothesay but admits it is becoming harder to keep going without his own vehicle.

He said: "It is hard to continue without a car but I love raising money for charities like Children in Poverty Inverclyde, because I know every single penny gets spent here in Inverclyde, helping local children."

John added: "Tommy relies very much on his own transport to remain as active, he’s lost without a car.

"When he is going to the various events such as Highland Games competitions and marathons he needs to cart collection buckets, his props, flags and a change of outfit.

"While he can use public transport on occasion, it often restricts him and is not practical.

"Our charity will be forever indebted to Tommy for all his support, but more importantly for his donations to help impoverished children within the community."

Anyone who wants to help Tommy raise funds for his own transport to charity events can get in contact with him by calling 07871572658.