Kate Garraway begs for help after receiving 'unsettling post' to late husband Derek
Kate Garraway has issued a desperate plea for help as the grieving presenter tries to deal with "unsettling post making demands" which her late husband "obviously can't respond to". The Good Morning Britain presenter, 56, took to Twitter on Tuesday night to publicly message her local Haringey Council after struggling for 10 days in her attempt to speak to someone regarding her husband Derek Draper's death earlier this year.
In her message to the council, visible to her 524,600 followers, Kate explained how she had been on hold for almost 50 minutes trying to get through to the correct department in order to discuss "unsettling post making demands" which Derek "obviously can't respond to".
She tweeted: "@haringeycouncil -please help - have been trying for ten days sold to speak to someone about my husband passing away - following unsettling post making demands which obviously he can't respond to. I just cannot get through. Again today nearly 50 mins wait and before I could...."
Her follow up post continued: "@haringeycouncil ... the man put me straight back to the beginning - another 20 mins and then it timed out as shuts at 5pm. Is there a bereavement service or SOMETHING!"
Kate recently revealed she has debts of over £800,000 due to the financial cost of Derek's care during his four-year battle with the effects of Covid, and she didn't elaborate on what the letters were referring to.
Kate's loyal followers offered her support and advice, with many telling her to try and contact her local counsellor directly.
One concerned follower wrote: "Don't give up Kate just calm and keep trying to get hold of the council," and another added: "I agree with other posts Kate - get hold of your local councillor if you can. So sorry to hear you have this on top of everything else you and your family have endured."
Former political lobbyist Derek, who was married to Kate for more than 20 years, sadly passed away at the beginning of the year at the tender age of 56, after a gruelling battle with long Covid.
His health fight began back in March 2020 when he contracted Covid which wreaked havoc on his body and left him needing constant medical care at times.
In a recent interview with The Times, Kate revealed her estimates of the care debt standing at a staggering £500,000 to £800,000. The broadcaster, still in mourning, said: "Derek's needs were clearly so great, yet he didn't warrant funded care - so you think, 'If he isn't getting it, then who is?"
Kate has discussed the state of the care system many times over recent years, and has become an active campaigner for improvements. When she announced Derek's passing in January, she wrote: "Derek was surrounded by his family in his final days and I was by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours and when he passed.
"I have so much more to say, and of course I will do so in due course, but for now I just want to thank all the medical teams who fought so hard to save him and to make his final moments as comfortable and dignified as possible. Sending so much love and thanks to all of you who have so generously given our family so much support."