Pick Me Up! 18-Jul-2019

Sitting in the kitchen with my son Tom, I just received an email regarding The Book People’s competition. ‘What do you think about this?’ I asked Tom. ‘Can I?’ he asked, his eyes widening with excitement. The competition was centered around imagination, and the children had to write their own story on the subject. The following week, during the holidays, Tom started brain-storming ideas. He decided that he’d write about two friends who walked to school everyday, finding new things to talk about. Each day, he would write a page of the book. By the end of the week, his book, The Incredible Journey, was complete. He was thrilled. Me and his dad Rob, 36, were so proud, and we submitted it for him. We knew that thousands of children…

DON’T FORGET! With International Prosecco Day right around the corner, it’s time to celebrate the nation’s favourite beverage. On 13 August, pop open your favourite bottle of fizz and celebrate its heritage… or just it’s deliciousness. Set up in 2016 by none other than Riondo Prosecco themselves, it’s the perfect excuse to get the girls together for a good old-fashioned Prosecco party. Originally from Veneto, Prosecco is made from the Glera grape and only gained its signature bubbles in the 16th century thanks to Antonio Carpené. That’s right, Prosecco used to be flat! With all this in mind, it’s no surprise that us Brits consumed a third of the world’s supply last year! We well and truly love Prosecco! This week’s good cause In 2017, teen activist Amika George started…

Delicious summer cocktails with friends. Joanne Achary, Boston I threw a Hawaiian themed party in my garden! This is me and my sister in our flower garlands. Andre Christou, London I had this avocado in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It was HUGE! Gemma Philips, Kent Wearing my crown beard after being beaten by bottomless brunch. Jess Young, Devon Me and Julia at a family BBQ. We were so lucky with the weather! Brenda Noble, Bristol If your letter makes Star Letter of the week, you will receive some beautiful blooms from Flying Flowers. With over 30 years’ experience of helping celebrate life’s special moments and FREE delivery by post, a gorgeous bouquet by Flying Flowers is a lovely way to celebrate sharing smiles and happiness. See flyingflowers.co.uk for more details.…

Shrieks of laughter echoed through the warm playground as children bounded out of the classroom, excited to start their weekend. ‘See you on Monday!’ I smiled, as a group of young girls gathered around me to give me a hug. Their innocent faces really lit up my day, and I adored being their teacher. It was August 2013, and my friend Kirstie Trup and I were on the trip of a lifetime in Zanzibar. Both 18, we’d needed a break from busy London, and had signed up as volunteer teachers in the quiet city of Stone Town. We’d wanted a new experience before heading off to university, and this was the ideal getaway. ‘Be safe over there,’ my mum Nicky, now 52, said, giving me a hug at the airport.…

Over the next few years, I wore my compression mask and body suit less and less, and my scars eventually healed over. But they were still scars. And they were big and ugly, completely changing my face. I really struggled to accept my new appearance. With my parents’ support, I started going out more, but people would still stare at me and I just felt so ugly all the time. It wasn’t a horrific nightmare - it was my life I’d also suffered with PTSD and extreme anxiety, often having horrific nightmares about the attack in Tanzania. I saw a counseller and had to take antidepressants. In the past six years, I’ve had over 70 surgeries on my face, neck, back, arms and legs. I also had reconstructive surgery on…

Curled up on the sofa, I was just about to fall asleep when my dad walked in. ‘Come on love, we’re going to do an activity,’ he said. ‘I’m tired Dad,’ I groaned, desperate to just slob out. Regardless, he walked over to my side with a used pizza box, some tissue paper, and food colouring. ‘Let’s make a rainbow,’ he said to me. So, for the rest of the evening, we scrunched up the tissue paper and dipped it in the food colouring, until our rainbow was complete. ‘We’ll hang it up on your wall in the morning,’ Dad smiled at me. I was about 10-years-old, and that’s one of the fondest memories I have of my father, before he passed away in 2013, of liver failure. He was…