AN EX-ROYAL Marine who told his friend that he skips meals so his son can eat has been left overwhelmed after being delivered boxes of food.
Peter Kelly was struck by the incredible kindness after his friend, who he has not named, dropped off three baskets full of fruit, vegetables, meats and bread on Friday.
The 34-year old from Plymouth, Devon, is in the reserves but served as a Royal Marines Commander for 30 Commando in Stonehouse for 10 years.
He currently earns around £2,000-per-month but is using half of that to pay off previous debts so that his family doesn’t have to worry.
Peter said he does not qualify for most financial aids, including housing and medical assistance.
He revealed on social media that he confided in his friend about his struggles and told him how he often skips meals so he has enough food for his son to eat.
Days later his friend showed up at his door with care packages made by the Feeding Devon Project.
Peter has said the gesture has saved his life and revealed how he is struggling like so many other families at the moment.
Posting on Twitter on Friday, Peter said: “On Tuesday I told a friend that on the weeks I don’t have my son, I don’t eat meals so I can make sure I have food for him. He just turned up with [the food basket].
“He has saved me in so many ways.
“When I separated from my wife (on good terms), I decided to take every piece of family debt we had so that my kids never had to worry about them or their mother struggling. I now pay £1,000 per month (half my wage) on those debts alone.
“That is nearly half my wage. The good thing is that a majority of it is paid down in June, there is a light. I wouldn’t change my decision, I can take the pain, thanks to amazing friends like this.”
He added: “I am far from infallible but I just want people I love and care about to have the best possible opportunity to be okay.
“My ex-wife is a special human being and helped me through some of the darkest times of my life, and she did it without asking for anything in return.
“From the outside, it may look like I have such a privileged life but in reality, I am truly struggling like so many others. I have made sacrifices for the greater good and it is biting me in the a**e.”
The post received almost 62,000 likes and over 2,500 retweets.
Hundreds of social media users left comments praising Peter’s friend for looking out for him.
One said: “We all need a friend like that. This is proof right here that we don’t know what goes on behind locked doors.
“Taking on the debt though, tells me everything I’d want to know about you. I wish there were more people like you around.”
Another wrote: “No marine should ever be left to struggle.”
A third commented: “When I read that you did it so the kids could be debt free, I thought that was pretty awesome of you. Onwards and upwards.”
Feeding Devon is a non-profit organisation that works to alleviate the cost-of-living crisis through a range of affordable food clubs.
The organisation was set up at the beginning of the pandemic and helps to feed at least 150 households per week.
This figure is expected to increase as many more families struggle to afford food due to price increases and rising utility bills.
A spokesperson for Feeding Devon today said: “Nobody needs to go hungry. People should be given everything they’re financially entitled to.
“We need to bridge the gap for households who are just able to support themselves. Or if they have used a food bank, it’s a step towards financial independence.”
