When Tom Connolly's homeless cousin, who had struggled with addiction and had been through a number of tragedies in her life, contacted him through Facebook the college student didn’t hesitate in helping her.
Even though the pair hadn't seen each other for ten years, once the teenager got in touch, Tom moved her into his apartment, legally adopted her and became a grandfather to her son when she gave birth.
The young man, who was working part-time and in college at the time, now supports his family by working three days a week whilst continuing his education.
Talking about his incredible gesture, the man, who is being hailed a ‘hero’ said: "It's not her fault. She's just a little girl who needed help. If it's one or two years of my life I have to put on hold, to make sure two lives are going to be saved, it's nothing at all."
He went on to say: 'We've had all these messages which has made us realise there are so many other people in this situation, I don't want people to think it's a unique thing. I can't believe how many people have been in these shoes before, and have had no help or support when they were pregnant."
What a truly inspirational young man.
