Claire Simmo 48 Craig Phillips

DIARY RADIO & TV PRESENTER. SASSY MUM & SOCIALITE.

When I wrote my last column straight after the Lifestyle Awards with a diary full of events to host and dance competitions & rehearsals for my daughter, football for my son and endless social arrangements of theirs – I never dreamed I would be sat here actually missing tearing round like a lunatic 7 days a week without even a glimpse of a day off! This time off has given me the opportunity though to focus on some really positive things as it is so easy to look at this dreadful situation we have found ourselves in – being separated from loved ones, even worse – losing loved ones to this terrible virus, the effect it will have on us all financially, the effect its having on people’s mental health – the list could go on, each and every one of us all dealing with different problems and upset that Coronavirus has brought upon us. However, the last 8 weeks has given me time to spend with my daughter Melodie – rather than her being in dance – we’ve gone for walks – raced down sandhills – made our own Reminisce festival in the garden, cooked together, had cosy nights in watching films together – and most of all laughed together and taken advantage of the precious time that we wouldn’t normally have. It’s given me more time to spend with my mum – as even though I live with her – she had been housebound now for almost 3 years with advanced pulmonary fibrosis – I think it given us all an insight as to how bad her life is – at the end of lockdown – we can all start going out again – mum doesn’t have that luxury! It’s given me chance to slowly ease the remote control from her grasp and actually binge watch series on Netflix together. Again – we’ve spent more time together – rather than me rushing in and out with her dinner before I dash off to host a gig. I won’t lie – it was a battle keeping my 17 year old son in during the early stages – he was at that “I’m invincible” stage, but he has now understood the importance of staying home for his Nana – and it’s nice to sit and chat with him of an evening rather than him shovelling his dinner down and heading out with his mates. Another positive is that for the first time in my life – I am doing something that I’m actually proud of. In all the years of working in radio, charities and the entertainment industry – I don’t think I have ever felt more worthy than I do working full time for St Helens & Whiston Hospitals. The team I work with are selfless – work endless hours and welcomed me onto the team in September last year – and have made me feel like I’ve always been there and I’m part of the STHK Family. I’ve been dealing

with the overwhelming amount of donations that people have generously given for staff and distributed them across all our Hospitals and people’s kindness has really helped our Staff through this terrible time. I really do feel like things happen for a reason and I feel in my heart I was destined to be here at this time, and I hope to be here for many more years to come – thank you Kim, Lynsey, Michelle, Amy & Clare for welcoming me in and for being in a part of my life I will never forget. Finally, I don’t think I had ever understood the phrase “absence makes the heart grow fonder” until this happened, I’m not the most romantic of people but being apart from my boyfriend has made me realise that I simply don’t want a life without him in it. I won’t take for granted the nights we just lay on the settee watching TV or the Friday evenings when I join him and his lovely family for dinner with the kids – as its those things I miss most. As hard as it is – Stay Alert – think of others as well as of yourself – and something I’ve been saying long before this – 2 words – BE KIND ! 17