Kate Garraway issues plea after ‘unsettling post’ sent to late husband Derek Draper: ‘Making demands’

Kate Garraway issues plea after ‘unsettling post’ sent to late husband Derek Draper: ‘Making demands’

WATCH HERE: Kate Garraway tells the story of her late husband, Derek Draper

Olivia Gantzer

By Olivia Gantzer


Published: 17/04/2024

- 08:17

Updated: 17/04/2024

- 08:47

The presenter took to social media to plea for support

Kate Garraway issued a desperate plea for help over an “unsettling” post regarding her late husband, Derek Draper.

The 56-year-old took to social media to ask her local council for support after being unable to speak to anyone.


Garraway had been caring for her husband, 56, during a four-year battle after he became one of the worst-affected Covid patients in the UK.

The illness ravaged his organs and left him requiring round-the-clock care, which ITV star Garraway candidly shared with the public in a series of documentaries about carers.

Draper sadly died at the start of this year following a heart attack, and the grieving presenter has detailed how she has debts of more than £800,000 following the financial costs of caring for Draper.

This week, she took to social media in view of her 524,600 X followers to plea for help by the council.

Kate Garraway

Garraway pleaded for help over social media

ITV

On Tuesday night, she wrote a public message after seemingly running out of options in getting support after receiving an “unsettling post” addressed to her late husband.

She penned: “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 & before I could ….”

In a separate post, she continued: “… the man put me straight back to the beginning - another 20 mins and then it timed out as shuts at 5pm. Is there a beareavement service or SOMETHING!!!!” (sic)

In a recent interview, the Good Morning Britain star explained the financial struggles she’s faced since her husband passed away.

“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?’” she pointed out.

Speaking to the Sunday Times, she added: “It’s supposed to be a system that's meant to catch you if you fall.

“But actually, it feels like it's trying to catch you out. You feel like you're in the dock answering questions about things that will literally mean life or death to someone you love.”

Fans were quick to respond to Garraway's post, offering support for her sad situation.

One replied: "If you can Kate, turn up at their offices and refuse to leave until they finally do something."

"@kategarraway - the #sadmin is such an awful burden on top of what we have already been through. It's just unfair," another wrote.

Derek Draper and Kate Garraway

Draper became one of the worst-affected Covid patients and sadly died in January

Getty

"This is so wrong on every level! Kate has enough on her plate, respond to her now," someone else demanded.

Another added: "There's a list of committee members here, I'd email them, maybe your local Councillor off the list or chair."

"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," a fifth suggested.

"Don't give up Kate just calm and keep trying to get hold of the council," another shared.

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