Man Sells All Of His Possessions After Losing 3 Loved Ones, Goes Traveling With His Pet Ferret, Bandit

Losing loved ones can leave your entire world shattered. And it’s easy to spiral into depression from there. 25-year-old Charles Hammerton from Falmouth in Cornwall lost his mother, adopted mom, and his best friend in the space of a year and was in a pit of despair.

Charlie decided that he had to take drastic measures and completely overhaul his life. He quit his job in the Royal Air Force, he sold his possessions (including his 3 cars) and went on an adventure around Europe with his rescue pet ferret, Bandit.

After selling nearly all of his belongings, the grieving Charlie got 15k pounds (19.5k dollars) which was enough to buy a camper van and head out on the road. Together with Bandit, Charlie drove through 11 countries over 8 months.

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Charlie quit his job and went traveling with his pet ferret, Bandit

Image credits: SWNS / Charlie Hammerton

Charlie even wrote a book about his trip. He now travels over Britain, teaching kids at school about outdoor living skills and confidence.

“Travelling was the most amazing experience of my life and it was completely liberating. We followed the sun across the world and camped under the stars in amazing places. It was beautiful and I spent it with my best friend,” Charlie said. “I have less money now but I am much wealthier as a person.”

The Brit rescued Bandit the ferret from an animal sanctuary back in 2015 and even had him stay with him while he was working for the RAF in Coningsby.

Together, they visited 11 countries in 8 months

Image credits: SWNS / Charlie Hammerton

In March of 2017, Charlie lost his mother who was just 53. After that, his best friend Will Moss passed away at the age of 22. That same year, Charlie’s adopted mother died from a heart attack. Charlie was depressed and had suicidal thoughts at this point.

But his mental health quickly improved when he set out to travel with Bandit. Together, they raised awareness for various charities, including for motor neuron disease which his mother suffered from.

“It was horrible for me but I didn’t want to get into a rut because of it all. I did think about killing myself a couple of times. I didn’t know where to turn. It took a lot of courage for me to do what I did. At the time I was living in a nice flat, had a good job and had three cars,” he revealed. “I had a lot of savings behind me and I was lucky enough to be very secure. But it was all just ‘stuff’ to me and didn’t really mean anything. I decided to get rid of the lot — and set off with Bandit.”

Charlie rescued Bandit from an animal sanctuary in 2015

Image credits: SWNS / Charlie Hammerton

According to Charlie, he visited some “incredibly scenic places” and “camped next to some of the most famous places in the world.”

“It was incredible to do it with Bandit. He has seen me at my best and my worst and has always been with me. Bandit has been with me through thick and thin,” Charlie complimented his pal. “The trip was completely liberating and I really did have an amazing experience. I needed to just go out and do something for me. It’s easy to get stuck in a rut but there’s no need to. I feel so much better for what I did.”