‘There’s an incredible sense of peace’: Tearful Kate Garraway prays for stricken husband Derek Draper as she visits a church for the first time since he fell ill with COVID-19
Tearful Kate Garraway prayed for ailing husband Derek Draper’s return to full health this week as he struggles with the devastating after-effects of COVID-19.
The former political advisor was rushed to hospital last March after falling gravely ill with the unpredictable respiratory bug, which has claimed 142,124 lives across the United Kingdom.
But Kate, 54, admits she’s still hoping for a miracle as her stricken husband, also 54, battles to overcome the terrible damage inflicted on his internal organs by the disease.
Emotional moment: Tearful Kate Garraway prayed for ailing husband Derek Draper’s return to full health this week as he struggles with the devastating after-effects of COVID-19
Appearing on BBC2 show Walking With…, the Good Morning Britain presenter enjoyed a quiet moment of reflection while visiting a Cotswolds church, and even took the opportunity to say a prayer.
Reduced to tears by the visit to Saint Mary’s Church in rural Great Witcombe, she explained: ‘I haven’t been to church since Derek got sick. We used to go regularly. But we haven’t been inside one.
‘And it does feel like there’s an incredible sense of peace. It makes me feel quite emotional actually.’
Hoping for a miracle: Appearing on BBC2 show Walking With…, Kate enjoyed a moment of reflection while visiting a Cotswolds church, and even took the opportunity to say a prayer
The presenter is also seen offering a silent prayer on behalf of her husband, before telling the crew: ‘You can probably guess what I’m praying for. It’s a very special thing.’
Kate also reflected on her moments of ‘great fear’ amid Derek’s COVID-19 battle and heartbreakingly confessed: ‘It’s hard because the person I wanted to give me a hug is the person that can’t – and that’s Derek.’
The presenter was away from her family while filming the BBC 2 series, where she takes a hike through the rolling Cotswold countryside.
Of her husband – with whom she shares children Darcey, 15, and William, 12 – being ill, Kate admitted: ‘I’ve had moments of great loneliness and fear.’
Going solo: The presenter was away from her family while filming the BBC 2 series, where she takes a hike through the rolling Cotswold countryside
In a clip seen exclusively by The Mirror, the doting mother-of-two added: ‘There’s something about coming here and reminding yourself that you can feel the countryside wrapping its arms around you and giving you love back.’
She then noted: ‘I feel very grateful for today.’
Kate has kept her fans updated on her husband’s health throughout his illness.
While on the show, Kate, who now acts as her husband’s carer, also spoke about how this was the first time being on her own away from home in over a year, and the joy she finds in nature and solace.
Worry: Derek was rushed to hospital last March after falling gravely ill with COVID-19, which has claimed 142,124 lives across the United Kingdom
A drone followed Kate around the sprawling greenery as she walks on her own speaking about her challenges while also meeting with locals.
She spoke to PA news agency: ‘I think it’s the first time I’ve been on my own since Derek was sick, really, because in between that I’m sort of flitting between working and children and going to the hospital when Derek was in hospital and being at home with him now he’s at home.
‘To go for a walk just for its own sake, on your own, is an indulgence that I really enjoyed taking the time to do.’
She went on: ‘I think it’s important to do that, because you need to sort of put a bit of petrol in the car, don’t you, in order to tackle all the things in life that we have to tackle.’
Reflection: ‘To go for a walk just for its own sake, on your own, is an indulgence that I really enjoyed taking the time to do’ Kate explained during her appearance on the show
Happy place: While on the show, Kate also spoke about how this was the first time being on her own away from home in over a year, and the joy she finds in nature and solace
Derek was hospitalised because the virus wreaked havoc throughout his entire body, resulting in kidney failure, liver and pancreatic damage.
On more than one occasion his heart stopped beating, he battled pneumonia and fought infections which punctured holes in his lungs.
Kate made a documentary about the journey, which went on to win a National Television Award for best Authored Documentary.
Solace: She spoke to PA news agency : ‘I think it’s the first time I’ve been on my own since Derek was sick’
Relaxed: ‘To go for a walk just for its own sake, on your own, is an indulgence that I really enjoyed taking the time to do’
It has now been confirmed that there will be a follow-up film, which will document the family’s life since Derek’s return home.
The exact date of the release of the second film has not yet been confirmed but will air on ITV this winter.
Kate has also written a book describing the journey called The Power Of Hope.
Sad: Derek was hospitalised because the virus wreaked havoc throughout his entire body, resulting in kidney failure, liver and pancreatic damage
Source: Read Full Article
