Why?
About One Man and His Fridge
Summer 2025, Thomas Judge, 61, will embark on an extraordinary journey from Middlesbrough to Spain, walking 1,400 miles with a fridge on his back to shine a light on suicide prevention and mental health awareness. His other goal is to raise £200,000 for First Contact UK Mental Health, a CIC he founded that is on the cusp of achieving charity status.
Living with complex PTSD himself, Tom understands firsthand the challenges faced by those struggling with anxiety and depression. Yet, through this monumental effort, he aims to inspire others and prove that life with mental ill health can still be meaningful. Tom’s trek will be completed in 20-mile stages, and while he has the chance to break a Guinness World Record, it’s the message behind his journey that matters most to him.
“The 45kg fridge I’ll carry symbolizes the weight that mental ill health places on a person’s shoulders,” Tom explains.
As part of the walk, Tom plans to visit eight football clubs – four in the UK and four in Spain – in the hope of gaining their support and amplifying his message.
First Contact UK Mental Health focuses on supporting individuals as they transition back to daily life after NHS mental health services end. Tom envisions creating a long-term recovery hub where people can access the resources they need to stay stable and participate in fully-funded meaningful activities that help sustain their recovery.
Additionally, Tom is using this walk to highlight another vital cause: The Cameron Laidlaw Foundation. Founded by Stacey Baldam in memory of her 16-year-old son Cameron, the foundation works to ensure that young people have access to mental health support and assistance with neurodiversity challenges.
“Stacey’s dedication inspires me deeply,” says Tom. “It’s so important to let young people – especially young men – know that help is out there and that it’s okay to speak up.”
The Cameron Laidlaw Foundation hosts weekly drop-in sessions every Tuesday in Middlesbrough, offering food, drinks, and activities in a welcoming environment and is guided by the principles: ‘You are heard,’ ‘You are valued,’ and ‘You are safe.’
Throughout his journey, Tom hopes to engage local businesses, sports teams, and public figures to rally behind this cause and create lasting change for mental health awareness.
