Kate Garraway, the Good Morning Britain presenter, has recently shared an intimate and poignant insight into the final wish of her late husband, Derek Draper. 

Derek, a former political advisor, tragically passed away in January at the age of 56 

after a long and harrowing battle with life-altering complications from Covid-19.

In a heartfelt interview with Hello! magazine, Kate revealed that Derek’s final wish was for her 

and their two children, Billy and Darcey, to continue embracing life and cherish every moment. 

As Kate continues to navigate life without Derek, her focus has shifted toward honoring his desire for her family to “grab life,” despite the deep sorrow left by his passing.

“I can begin to see a new positivity for the three of us – I am hoping,” Kate shared. She expressed her hope for her family to stop reflecting on the past and the painful reminders of Derek’s absence, and instead look forward with a sense of optimism. Kate added, “Where we don’t look back and remember: ‘This time last year we were doing this or that with Dad…’ but focus on the future.” She acknowledged that Derek would have wanted her to move forward and make the most of the time they have, urging her to live life fully, something he couldn’t do anymore.

Derek’s wish is even more significant now as Kate faces the challenges of raising their children alone while maintaining her career. Kate, 57, has remained determined to provide stability for Billy and Darcey, despite the immense emotional and financial strain that followed Derek’s illness and eventual passing.

While discussing the challenges of dealing with the anniversary of Derek’s death, Kate admitted to struggling with “a bit of gloom” around the one-year mark. She shared a picture of her frost-covered garden on Instagram, reflecting on how nature’s beauty could offer some comfort during difficult times. “Trying to shift a bit of gloom by cracking on today with lots of jobs I’ve been putting off and soaking up the beauty of nature while I do it!” she wrote. It’s clear that despite her sorrow, Kate remains committed to forging ahead for the sake of her family.

Derek’s illness began in March 2020, when he was one of the first individuals in the UK to suffer severe complications from Covid-19. Over the next several years, he endured extensive hospital stays, including a heart attack in December 2023, which significantly worsened his condition. Derek’s prolonged battle with the virus left him hospitalized for months and in need of constant care, putting a considerable financial and emotional burden on Kate and the family.

Throughout this challenging period, Kate was candid about the enormous costs associated with Derek’s care. At times, she struggled to keep up with the escalating expenses, revealing that she had to dip into her pension funds to help cover the costs. Kate opened up on Good Morning Britain about the financial toll of Derek’s condition, disclosing that her family had accumulated significant debt due to the mounting medical expenses. The care bill for Derek amounted to an eye-watering £800,000, and Kate shared how she faced challenges in securing timely funding or assistance from appeals for Derek’s care.

The financial difficulties Kate faced were compounded by delays in appeals and the uncertainty about the outcomes, which only added to the stress of her already heavy responsibilities. In one emotional moment on Good Morning Britain, Kate explained how, during Derek’s time in intensive care, her family had not yet received the financial assistance they had been desperately waiting for, exacerbating their hardship.

Despite these immense challenges, Kate’s commitment to providing for her children remains unwavering. She has continued her career as a presenter on Good Morning Britain and has also worked hard to ensure that Billy and Darcey have as much normality as possible in the wake of their father’s death.

In her ongoing journey of resilience, Kate has been open about the emotional toll that comes with such significant loss, but also the strength she finds in her family and her work. Her dedication to making Derek proud and fulfilling his final wish—to embrace life and create lasting memories—is something that continues to drive her forward.

As Kate looks ahead, she knows that her family’s future is rooted in Derek’s lasting legacy. Through her love, strength, and determination, she aims to honor his wish by making the most out of life for herself and her children, finding joy and hope amid the challenges.

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