Kate Garraway beams as she watches neighbours light coloured smoke flares in Clap for Carers as her critically-ill husband Derek Draper continues to battle coronavirus
- Derek has been in a coma after contracting coronavirus last month
- Kate thanked fans on Thursday for their ongoing support
- The presenter is said to be phoning her husband on a daily basis
- ‘She has no idea if he’s responding but it certainly gives her a sense of comfort and there is the hope that it is,’ said Good Morning Britain’s Ben Shephard
- The TV presenter and Derek have been married for 14 years
- They have two children Darcey, 14, and William, 10
- He is best known for his career as a lobbyist before retraining as a psychotherapist
- Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19
Kate Garraway appeared overcome with emotion as she watched her neighbours light coloured smoke flares in the 8pm Clap for Carers on Thursday night, as her husband Derek Draper continues his battle against coronavirus.
The Good Morning Britain presenter, 53, beamed as she watched children fill the street with coloured smoke and got her phone out to film the touching moment.
Derek, 52, is understood to be in an unresponsive critical condition following seven weeks in intensive care after being admitted to hospital with Covid-19.
Touched: Kate Garraway appeared overcome with emotion as she watched her neighbours light coloured smoke flares in the 8pm Clap for Carers on Thursday night
Earlier in the day, Kate shared a heartfelt thank you to fans for their ongoing support.
The Good Morning Britain presenter, who has regularly kept followers updated with 52-year-old Derek’s progress, told how the messages of support have ‘meant the world’ to her as her husband fights for his life in hospital.
Writing in her latest blog post, Kate said the kind words were ‘comforting’ as she tries to remain strong for her husband and children Darcey, 14, and William, 10.
Poignant: The presenter whooped and cheered as she watched her neighbours light fireworks and run around with the light up flares
Critically-ill: Kate’s husband Derek Draper, 52, remains in a coma as he continues his battle against coronavirus (pictured in December)
Thank you NHS! The Good Morning Britain presenter, 53, beamed as she watched children fill the street with coloured smoke and got her phone out to film the touching moment
She said: ‘I wanted to send a huge thank you to all of you who have sent me such wonderful messages wishing Derek well. It has meant the world to me.
‘I am sorry I have not been able to reply to them individually, as I am sure you will understand that I am focusing on my family and Derek right now.’
The TV host continued: ‘In quieter moments I am reading all of your messages and they are so comforting and wonderful to read.’
‘It has meant the world’: Earlier in the day, Kate shared a heartfelt thank you to fans for their ongoing support
Grateful: The presenter has joined the nation in the clap for carers, which thanks the NHS and key workers, every week
Community spirit: Children ran down the street holding up pink and blue coloured flares
Kate is said to be phoning her husband, with whom she raises children Darcey and William on a daily basis while he remains on a ventilator in intensive care.
Talking to COVID-19 survivor Julie Stanfield, her daughter Gabrielle and the NHS staff who saved her life on Wednesday’s edition of GMB, Ben, 45, admitted his co-host had found a degree of reassurance in calling Derek.
He said: ‘One of our colleagues, Kate Garraway, has said that one of the things that has been really comforting for her is the fact that the staff are taking her phone in the evenings and she can talk to her husband.
‘She has no idea if he’s responding but it certainly gives her a sense of comfort and there is the hope that it is.’
Last Thursday, Kate updated her supporters to reveal Derek was ‘still with us’ and ‘fighting so hard’ to beat coronavirus.
And the following day, Kate was given hope while her husband battles on in hospital, by fans sharing their stories of recovery from COVID-19 after weeks in ICU.
The GMB presenter thanked a fan for telling her about her own husband’s survival of the virus, following a seven-week stint in intensive care.