A strongman who vowed to give back after his grandad died has now raised thousands of pounds for a hospice charity.

Sean Kennedy of Gravesend was 17 when he lost his beloved family member at ellenor in Northfleet but now in his mid-30s the athlete is dedicated to fundraising in their memory.

He said: "The people at ellenor were brilliant with my grandad; they really looked after him and I always said I would like to do something to repay their kindness.

"I believe in ellenor 100%, and I think it is terrible that hospices do not get more government funding, especially knowing how brilliant ellenor was with my grandad.

"I know it is hard for charities now. It was hard enough to raise money without the pandemic but now it is even more difficult."

During the pandemic, charities have taken a hit when it comes to fundraising due to imposed restrictions but Sean did not let that stop his efforts and so he organised two online events.

He said: "We set up garage music events with big artists performing on a live feed, where people could donate to ellenor. We also recorded it and sold CDs afterwards. We had people like MC Vapour and MC Creed, the biggest names in the garage scene and we raised quite a bit of money.

"I was able to set it all up because I ran a security company for years and got to know the big rave venues and made friends with the artists.

"I thought I would put on my own event and when I explained to them how difficult it was for the charity to make money with its shops closed, the artists were all happy to give their time for nothing."

The owner of Reps and Sets gym in Terrace Street, Gravesend has organised numerous fundraising events in aid of the hospice in Coldharbour Road including an annual deadlift contest which has been running since 2015.

They have also raised money for Chatham's Leo Andrews who has born with a rare genetic condition.

Sean also campaigns alongside his friend Lisa James, the manager of ellenor’s Northfleet shop, to create events with a difference and they recently organised a car pull involving Lisa’s grandchildren. He said: "Lisa is like family to me. She is an angel – she looked after me when I was young and tried to keep me on the straight and narrow.

"Everyone around here knows Lisa and she likes to look out for them all and help keep them out of trouble. Most of her sons have come to the gym on and off over the years and her husband trains here every day. Whenever I put on an event, she promotes it and shares it."

The dad-of-three has been fundraising for the hospice since 2012 when he first entered the UK Strongest Man contest where he asked everyone to sponsor him in aid of ellenor.

Although the three time winner admits his Strongman days are behind him, he still enjoys training in the gym and motivating others to do what they can.

He added: "If you have a way of supporting something you want to keep alive then use what you have available to you. Anyone can do it; you just need to use your attributes. It can be an egg and spoon race that raises £100 – every little bit helps.

"If everyone did a little bit like that the world would be a better place."