UPDATE: |Beloved TikTok grandad who quit job to follow dream left ‘devastated’ by debilitating condition News

The globetrotting gramps went from working as a roofer to gaining 100,000 followers on TikTok

A Yorkshire grandad who went from working as a roofer to boasting around 100,000 followers on TikTok said he is unable to face his audience after a debilitating condition left him unable to walk.

Terry Hill, 59, from Doncaster, quit his day job to pursue his dream of travelling the world.

Two years ago he started a TikTok account and, after a viral video surprising his daughter and grandchildren in Crete, he amassed nearly 100,000 followers and more than 70 million views.

Nicknamed “Donny Knight” after crowd surfing off a bus shelter wearing a knight’s costume in his home city, Terry’s raw and real videos on social media show his unique take on the world and are loved by fans.

Throughout 2024, the 59-year-old travelled to dream destinations like Egypt, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Poland and Thailand.

Late last year, he began to notice he was losing feeling in his feet, a condition possibly linked to smoking and caused by blocked arteries in his groin.

Doctors implanted seven stents to open the arteries but in January, while playing in the snow with his son, Terry lost all feeling in his feet again and was taken to Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

While the operation successfully cleared the arteries, side-effects have left him unable to walk and the avid globetrotter has left his house just four times since January.

“I’ve gone from having the time of my life to not being able to pay my bills or leave the house,” Terry told PA.

“I can’t face my followers because I can’t give them what they want. I physically can’t do it. It’s devastating and there’s nothing I can do.”

Having lost all his income from both roofing and TikTok, Terry now finds himself struggling to cover his mortgage and bills.

He has claimed universal credit and has applied for disability benefits but these are not enough to cover the costs.

It was a difficult decision for Terry, but with no other option, he set up a GoFundMe aiming to raise £5,000 for a mobility scooter.

He received a few donations in the first week, including from fellow TikTok stars, but despite having around 100,000 followers, the page stalled at £800.

“I’m so grateful to everyone who has donated, it really means a lot,” Terry said. “But it’s devastating that I don’t have enough. I’m gutted. I feel so helpless as there’s nothing I can do.

“I can’t face my followers. I can’t give them the travel content they want. I physically can’t do it. I don’t know what will happen next.”

You can donate to Terry’s GoFundMe here.