A CARE leaver who suffered horrific abuse throughout his childhood has spoken out on his inspirational story, from being homeless on the streets of Warrington to now becoming a successful actor preparing to star in his first self-written movie, set and filmed in his hometown of Runcorn.
Biologist by day, actor by night, Terry Caddick grew up like many children in care: moving from home to home, school to school, never settling and feeling more and more misplaced.
The 48-year-old spent his childhood living in various children's homes in Bewsey and Padgate, initially attending Dallam Junior School before moving onto Brook Acre Primary School and then the formerly known Hood Manor Primary.
"Up until the age of 11 I was in and out of care," he said. "I ended up in over 40 different placements.
"Some places were just for a night. I even slept in the social services offices some nights."
Due to his turbulent home life, Terry would often turn up to school without clean clothes or having not washed. This led to him being heavily bullied when he started secondary school.
In his early teens he was relocated to a 'notorious' children's home in Cheshire. There, he told, he was exposed to abuse before the home was eventually shut down.
After a short stint in another children's home in Warrington, Terry began living on the streets between the ages of 15 to 17.
"When I turned 18, I ran away and joined the circus," he told. "The circus had come to Warrington and my friend said as a joke that I should join them...so I did.
"I looked after elephants and tigers, it was great."
After Terry's circus career came to an end, he returned to being homeless on the streets of Warrington before joining the Prince's Trust - a youth charity that provides support to young people.
"I did a 12-week programme with them and on the last day, I met my wife. We got married, moved to Runcorn and went on to have five children - we were together for 20 happy years."
Having previously left school with no qualifications, Terry decided to give education another go and went to study zoology at university when he was in his 30s.
"I gained a bachelors degree in science and zoology and straight after university I got a job as an inspector at the RSPCA ," he said, noting that he now works as a consultant biologist for Lidl.
Things however took a turn for the worst a few years ago when the dad-of-five had a major health scare.
"I lifted something heavy up one day and that sent a surge through my entire body.
"I took myself to the hospital and that is when they told me, I'd had a heart attack.
More bad news followed, Terry explained, when doctors discovered the heart attack was linked to a rare cancer tumour, Pheochromocytoma.
After an operation to remove the tumour, it was whilst sitting in his hospital bed recovering that he came across an advert for a local acting group, the Merseyside Academy of Drama.
"I went and did a course there and fell in love with acting.
"I ended up getting my own agent and I have worked on several productions, including alongside Sean Bean in This City is Ours and on the BBC, as well as on the Oscar-nominated short film Wonderwall."
Terry also starred in multiple plays, his first, he recalled, being on a production of Our Countries Good which was staged at a local theatre.
Inspired by his acting work, he started his own film production company, based in Runcorn, Sunny Runny Productions, with three other friends.
And in 2024, the biologist turned actor began writing his own screenplay which will be the first movie produced by Sunny Runny - No Gentle Goodnight.
"I had some money saved up after Wonderwall, so I took a sabbatical and began writing.
"I used all my own emotions and life experiences and spent six months in a trance writing it.
"All the indie films being made at the moment are about gangs and drugs and violence. I wanted to make something that showed more emotion."
The film, which will also be co-produced by Going Nowhere Productions, follows the character of David Reynolds - to be played by Terry - who is an ex-special forces soldier that returns back to his hometown of Runcorn.
"His plan is to jump off the Runcorn bridge, his life is full of trauma and while he is serving he finds out his mum has died.
"What he didn't find out was that he had a child back at home. When he returns from war he finds out he has this son and everything changes."
As well as there being a strong emotive storyline, the story is also laced with dark humour and hints of comedy.
Terry revealed that he based the film on a poem, 'Do Not Go Gentle Into That Goodnight'.
Filming has began in locations all over Runcorn and the actor/producer has been keen to scout out local talent to feature in the film.
"I put the film roles out to locals because I wanted local people to be a part of this. There are different people in the community who have never been in a production before but since being a part of this, have started taking acting classes. I feel like we have inspired others."
While filming has began, production has somewhat been halted due to funding issues, Terry disclosed, as his production company are now crowdfunding to raise £10,000 for more equipment needed.
"We have a brilliant cast and crew. This film is going to be in international film festivals.
"We just need some more backing and sponsorship."
Terry revealed that while his end goal is to be a successful actor like his local idol Christopher Eccleston, his main focus right now is on Sunny Runny Productions and the making of No Gentle Goodnight.
"I would love to bring creativeness to Halton by starting up a CIC eventually that allows people in Halton to explore their creativity."
To watch the trailer for No Gentle Goodnight click here or to donate to the crowd funder follow this link.
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