Home   Medway   News   Article

Rainham dad offers security cameras to help protect baby girl's grave in Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham

A father has offered to pay for and install cameras and alarm systems next to a baby girl's grave after her mum petitioned for more security.

Shannon Spring's daughter, Lily-Mae, had her resting place at Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham, targeted multiple times by vandals, who smashed ornaments and ripped teddy bears apart.

Tommy Shelley, 32, from Rainham, owns an alarm company in Rainham. Picture: Tommy Shelley
Tommy Shelley, 32, from Rainham, owns an alarm company in Rainham. Picture: Tommy Shelley

Now, Tommy Shelley, who runs the security company Alarmed 24/7, wants to help the Chatham mum and her stillborn baby girl get peace and closure.

The 32-year-old from Rainham heard about Shannon's story and was deeply moved by it, as he could not believe people would be capable of doing such "a disgraceful thing".

As a father to a five-year-old girl and a nine-year-old boy, Tommy felt Shannon's pain and wants to use his expertise in security systems to help her.

He recalled losing a close childhood friend 12 years ago, who died at just 20.

He said: "I just kept thinking if the situation was the other way around – if his grave was being targeted – I would appreciate if someone helped us. He was one of my best childhood friends."

Shannon Spring, 25, has created an online petition asking for more security at Woodlands Cemetery after her daughter's grave was vandalised. Picture: Shannon Spring
Shannon Spring, 25, has created an online petition asking for more security at Woodlands Cemetery after her daughter's grave was vandalised. Picture: Shannon Spring
Lily-Mae Spring's grave has been constantly targeted by vandals at Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham. Picture: Shannon Spring
Lily-Mae Spring's grave has been constantly targeted by vandals at Woodlands Cemetery, Gillingham. Picture: Shannon Spring

Depending on what Shannon and her family's wishes are, Tommy is happy to pay for and install any security cameras and alarms to let Lily-Mae rest peacefully.

The dad-of-two said he might need some help in obtaining permissions from the cemetery, but he'll cross that bridge when he gets to it.

He added: "There are not many people that actually care these days, so I try to be one of them. Something that's little for me might be a huge deal to someone else."

Shannon could not believe the news and said the family is over the moon with all the support they have been receiving, having received many messages since our earlier report.

The 25-year-old said: "I'd like to say a massive thank you to every single person who is helping us. Myself and Lily's dad, Jack, are over the moon with the amount of help we are getting.

Shannon speaking about the problem earlier this week

"I didn't expect to get such amazing help from amazing people. It really does go to show there are some amazing people in this world. We are ever so grateful and just hope our baby girl can now rest peacefully like she deserves."

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More