Tom Cruise surprises extreme challenge charity fundraiser during interview

A British fundraiser who spent a year undertaking extreme athletic feats for charity has received a surprise commendation from Hollywood star Tom Cruise.

Lloyd Kembrey, a facilities manager at the University of Bristol, completed the series of endurance events to gather funds for Jessie May, a children’s hospice charity.

His motivation stemmed from the memory of his twin cousins, Francesca and Josephine. Diagnosed with Sanfilippo disease type A at three-and-a-half years old, both sadly passed away in their teens.

Hoping to honour them and assist other families facing life-limiting diagnoses, Kembrey tackled several daunting physical challenges. These included completing a 31-mile ice skating ultramarathon in Finland, climbing the equivalent height of Mount Everest on an artificial wall, and trekking 94 miles along southern England’s Jurassic Coast.

To mark his achievements, Kembrey’s family arranged a surprise alongside the team behind the BBC’s The One Show and its “One Big Thank You” initiative.

Kembrey was asked to travel to London under the belief that he was taking part in an interview for a documentary focused on high-endurance feats.

Instead, Cruise walked into the room to express his gratitude in person.

Cruise said: “I’ve done a lot of wild things and stunts, but when I heard about Lloyd’s adventure, I just thought, ‘I’ve got to meet this guy.'”

The actor went on to invite Kembrey to attend the world premiere and royal film performance of his upcoming movie, Digger.

Former Jessie May chief executive Daniel Cheesman said: “The funding that Lloyd has raised for the charity means that we can directly support children in their own homes.

“He is a role model to all of the children and young people that Jessie May supports.”

Recounting the experience later, Kembrey shared his shock at coming face-to-face with the film star.

“I thought I was going to London for an interview with BBC Online to be part of a documentary on endurance sport fundraising,” he said.

“It took place at the Raffles hotel in London, and I was interviewed in Winston Churchill’s old war office.

“I looked up the price of a Saturday night room there and it was over a grand – it’s a really posh place.

“About 20 minutes into the interview, Tom Cruise walks in. I must admit, I thought he was James Blunt at first.

“He walked towards me, the crew all cheered and then he said thank you for all the charity work I’ve done and invited me to the world premiere of his new film, Digger.

“I put my hand out to shake his, but he just put his hand on my arm. He eventually shook it, but that felt like an age waiting for him.

“So, it turns out, this wasn’t an interview for BBC Online. It was actually for a segment of The One Show called One Big Thank You. I honestly had no idea it was happening.”

Kembrey described the premiere, which he attended with a friend, as “mad”.

“We enjoyed being there and making the most of the free bar,” he said.

“I also did another segment for The One Show with Tom Cruise and met a few Hollywood stars, including John Goodman, Riz Ahmed and Jesse Plemons. Tom Cruise is genuinely a really lovely guy, and it was actually him who suggested we get a selfie. I would have completely forgotten otherwise. The film was really good too. I’d recommend going to see it.”

The One Show airs weeknights at 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.