Student Is Contacted by Pregnant Cousin He Hadn't Seen in Years, Decides to Become Her Guardian

A university student was showered with messages of support and appreciation after he took in his pregnant teen cousin, saving her from homelessness and misery. Surprisingly, the young man even received a few date offers.

Random acts of kindness have the power to brighten up people's lives in the most remarkable ways. Often, we expect kind deeds from older people, but it turns out youngsters can also inspire the world with their benevolence.

An aspiring university student did just that and much more for his cousin, and his warm-heartedness triggered an overwhelming response from people far and wide. Today, we'll celebrate his excellent deed, hoping it'll encourage others to do the same.

NOT YOUR AVERAGE UNIVERSITY STUDENT

Tommy Connolly was a young, handsome student in Queensland, Australia. The passionate athlete was going about his business when, in late 2014, his teen cousin sent him a Facebook message out of the blue.

Connolly was initially startled because he hadn't heard from her in more than ten years. However, he was glad she contacted him because she was his favorite little cousin, and he'd always had a soft spot for her.

The young runner explained that it was challenging to communicate with his cousin online because she was illiterate. But Connolly understood that his 17-year-old cousin was pregnant, her child's father was in jail, and she had been in and out of foster care.

A RESPONSIBLE, YOUNG MAN

Sadly, her family was addicted to heroin and unfit to support her, and Connolly was her only known relative in Australia. While she didn't ask her cousin if she could stay with him, he immediately drove down to the Gold Coast to pick her up.

Connolly revealed that welcoming his cousin and her baby positively impacted his life.

The ambitious Aussie sprinter was upset when he learned the complete story. His problems seemed irrelevant compared to what his cousin had endured, so he took her in and became her legal guardian.

BECOMING A FOSTER PARENT

Connolly described that he became the girl's foster parent to ensure she'd keep her baby, stay off the streets, and have a renewed chance at life. So, his pregnant cousin moved in with him in early 2015 and gave birth to a baby boy on March 17.

Interestingly, the then-23-year-old single man became a grandpa within a matter of days. His brother, Liam, set up a crowdfunding page, asking for funds to help Connolly support his teen cousin and her newborn baby.

The tender-hearted youngster put his athletic training on hold to support his cousin. He even sold fruits and vegetables to cover the extra cost and provide for his new family. Juggling his studies was tough, but Connolly never wavered from his decision.

RECEIVING PRAISE AND APPRECIATION

When the young Aussie updated his Facebook friends about his new situation, he was inundated with lovely messages from his supporters and secret admirers. The date offers had him in stitches. His cousin also thanked him in these words:

"All I wanted was to give this little man a better life than I had — a second chance was all I wanted. Thank-you, Tommy for everything, and for helping me with my spelling.”

Connolly revealed that welcoming his cousin and her baby positively impacted his life. He told news.com.au: "I'm living in a nice house now, I've got my own little family, and she's always around. My situation is a lot better because of her."

THANK YOU, CONNOLLY

What an incredibly heart-touching story this was, portraying love, kindness, and selflessness! We need more youngsters like Connolly, and we wish all the best to him and his new family. Please share this inspiring story with your family and friends.

Here's another heartwarming story with a similar theme, and it's about a homeless man whose life was turned topsy-turvy after the pandemic. Then, he heard about a long-lost cousin. Do you want to know what happened next? Read the full story here.