Tomlinson makes £4,000 donation to former One Direction bodyguard who battles severe arterial disease
Tomlinson and fellow band members Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Zayn Malik were guarded by Preston Mahon during the group’s frenzied touring years. Photo: agencies
Louis Tomlinson’s quiet act of generosity has taken centre stage after he stepped in to support former One Direction bodyguard Preston Mahon with a £4,000 donation towards life-saving medical treatment, offering timely help as Mahon faces an escalating health crisis that has left him fearing the loss of his legs.
Mahon, who once guarded Tomlinson and fellow band members Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Zayn Malik during the group’s frenzied touring years, recently turned to a GoFundMe campaign in an attempt to cover the mounting cost of treatment for dangerously blocked arteries in both legs.
He disclosed that the problem began with a severely clogged artery in his left thigh, a condition previously managed through angioplasty every two years at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, but post-Covid assessments showed both arteries in both legs were now completely blocked.
That development left him facing a grim wait on the public system, with doctors warning that his next evaluation could involve discussions about bypass surgery or even potential amputation, prompting him to seek faster and safer options through private medical care abroad.
The former security guard travelled to Spain to undergo a procedure to insert stents, but the bill for the treatment climbed to around 32,000, a figure he said had all but exhausted his savings as he tried to prevent permanent disability.
Among the donations listed on the appeal was a £4,000 contribution from Tomlinson, a gesture that immediately drew attention from fans and well-wishers and prompted Mahon to say the support “means the world to me” as he recovers from the operation.
Tomlinson’s involvement, though low-key, reflects a pattern of quiet support he has extended to people linked to his career, yet it comes at a moment when he is also receiving strong acclaim for his own creative work.
The singer, now 33, recently released a new single titled ‘Palaces’ from his album ‘How Did I Get Here?’, drawing praise from listeners who have described it as one of the most affecting tracks he has produced in recent years.
Zara McDermott, who began a relationship with Tomlinson earlier this year following her separation from Sam Thompson, publicly celebrated the song on Instagram and called it “incredible” as fans reacted warmly to the release.
Their relationship, which became public over the summer, has continued to gain attention amid reports that McDermott has moved into Tomlinson’s north London home, signalling a period of stability for the pair as his career enters another busy phase.
For Mahon, the donation has offered reassurance at a precarious time, and while he continues to rely on public support to rebuild financially, Tomlinson’s contribution has provided a boost as he works towards a fuller recovery.
