Terry George

The early years
Having grown up without wealth on a Yorkshire council estate, Terry is the only person in his family to have made it big, and now he is keen to put himself to the test and put his money where his mouth is.

Life under cover
But day one undercover in his new life in Penzance, Cornwall and already Terry is finding things tough. Better known for its tourism than its poverty, property prices are high and there is a severe shortage of affordable housing. The only place to find cheap long term accommodation is in the sticks, where many people are forced to turn to mobile homes.

Not what he’s used to
For the next ten days, one such caravan will be home to Terry. He is not impressed to find that the fridge is empty on his arrival, the nearest shop is half a mile down the road and as he is yet to find a job. He has no money for food. Once he has borrowed basics from the caravan park owner and his neighbour, Terry then discovers the mattress is too thin, his bedroom is too small and the cows moo endlessly. The next day he announces that the shower is tiny and the water is freezing…”It’s like being in prison” he says. “I’d have asked for a refund if this had been a hotel… it’s horrendous” moans Terry.

New job
Things don’t improve greatly when he starts working as a care assistant at a local nursing home.

Helping the regular staff on toilet duty with the residents, results in Terry throwing up and he cannot believe that people have to do this job for a living earning the minimum wage.

But caring for the elderly is the biggest opportunity for employment in Penzance due to the fact that so many people retire to Cornwall. After a hard and eye-opening day, which earns him £36.92, Terry has nothing but a new found respect for what he has just experienced. “I don't think people appreciate the work that these people do. And they're on minimum wage as well. You know, they're doing a fantastic job. It’s people like this that should be getting you know, knighthoods and things like that.”

Terry is equally inspired when he meets Kath and Don, an older couple who live in one of the poorest areas in Penzance. Having realized that he is not going to survive very easily on just one wage and in order to double his chances of meeting more potential people to help, Terry ends up working at a local fish and chip shop where he first meets this dynamic duo. Keen dancers who end up showing off their skills to Terry during his shift in the middle of the shop, Kath and Don have lived in the area for 40 years and are full time carers to their daughter who was severely injured in a drink driving incident 21 years ago when she was only 23. The warm hospitality and genuine friendship shown him begins to have a profound affect on Terry.

Tough choices
Terry really struggles to decide where he should give his money and he is terrified at the thought of revealing his true identity to the people who have really taken him into their hearts and lives over his short trip.

Thankfully and finally the thought of being able to repay some of the kindness he has been shown, enables Terry to make his final decisions and to see them through. “I do enjoy actually making other people happy. You know, especially when they don't expect it!”

Intro  |  About Terry  |  Terry's Testimonial