Jeff Hardy Fan Travels 3,500 Miles To Have Wish Granted At TNA Tapings In New York City

- The following was issued:

STARLIGHT CHILDREN'S FOUNDATION & TNA IMPACT WRESTLING GRANT WISH OF JEFF HARDY SUPERFAN

Boy Makes 3,500 Mile Trip Across The Pond To Meet Hardy and Attend #TNANYC Live Events at Manhattan Center

New York, N.Y. (Aug. 12, 2014) ? Tuesday, August 5, is a day Middlesex, England resident and Jeff Hardy superfan Tom Trussler will forever remember. With the help of UK wish granting charity Starlight Children's Foundation and TNA Wrestling, Tom, a 12-year-old who has been diagnosed with a rare progressive congenital disorder, was granted his wish of meeting TNA Superstar "The Charismatic Enigma" Jeff Hardy.

"The thing that caught my eye about Jeff is his determination, and I like that," said Tom. "Ever since I first saw him on TV Jeff Hardy has been my favorite wrestler."

Determination is something Tom knows a lot about. In July 2013, Tom, who lives in Feltham, underwent a bone marrow transplant, which forced him to be homebound for six months. During his recovery Tom spent much of his time watching professional wrestling, in particular matches of Jeff Hardy on IMPACT WRESTLING.

Tom and his parents, Mark and Lesley, made the 3,500 mile trek from the U.K. to New York City to meet Hardy and take part in the IMPACT WRESTLING live event at the Manhattan Center on Tuesday, Aug. 5 and Wednesday, Aug. 6. Prior to the sold out August 5 show, Hardy spent the afternoon hanging out with Tom as the two talked wrestling and took photos. Hardy also introduced Tom to dozens of fellow TNA Superstars MVP, Lashley, Bully Ray, The Wolves and Mr. Anderson, to list a few.

Before the start of the event Tom was invited backstage to Hardy's dressing room where his face was painted by Hardy to match the "Charismatic Engima's" own face paint in signature IMPACT WRESTLING colors of black, blue and white.

"It was an honor for me to spend the day with Tom and his parents," said Hardy. "He is an incredible kid and I am happy to now call him my friend."

Following an afternoon of activities with Hardy and a VIP meet-and-greet autograph session with other TNA Superstars, Tom and his parents were escorted ringside to watch the IMPACT WRESTLING televised event from the sold out Manhattan Center. The episode, which was taped, is scheduled to air in late August in the U.S. on Spike TV (Thursday nights, 9/8c) and in the U.K. on Challenge (Sunday nights at 9).