Pick Me Up! 01-Aug-2019

Stepping through the gates of Buckingham Palace, I was a bucket of nerves. I was about to be presented with an MBE by Prince William, for my contributions to Muscular Dystrophy. I tragically lost my brother, Mark, to the disease when he was 16, and then in 2012, my son Luke was diagnosed at just a year old. The illness has ripped through my family, but I wasn’t going to let it beat me. So, I set up a Facebook page, Leap for Luke. I wanted to educate people about the illness. I explained how it prevents the repairing of muscles, and eventually the heart gives up. I got involved in fundraising for Muscular Dystrophy UK, and organised ziplining, skydiving and fashion shows. Overall, I’ve helped raise £100k for research…

Why didn’t we think of this? In all high-street stores, the mannequins are slim, toned and tall. In fact, research has shown that most mannequins in stores are so thin, that if they were real people, they wouldn’t menstruate. Even shops that sell plus-size ranges display the clothes on petite models. There has rarely been diversity and inclusion across these shiny plastic figurines. Until now. Nike recently introduced a female plus-size mannequin in their London flagship store, and news quickly went viral. Dressed in Nike’s plus-size fitness range, the mannequins promote inclusivity and shapes of all sizes. We love this idea – it’s empowering and a huge step in the right direction. Nike are normalising a body shape that you see in everyday life to encourage a healthy (and realistic)…

We kept the kids entertained by baking and decorating biscuits – they loved it! Karen Francis, Bristol My mum and I celebrating my birthday! Lots of drinks, dancing and flower backdrop photos. Georgina Fraser, Essex Whenever my family go to an Italian, my sister and I pair up and share half pasta and half pizza. It’s a game changer! Kyri Dalton, Bristol In Canada about to go whale watching with my friend. It was amazing! Ellie-Mae Rowley, Bristol My two babies! Jasper the cat loves a cuddle with Baby Ben. Jenny Claridge, Peckham 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…

Surrounded by stuffed toys, my cousins and I were in our element. In our own world, we’d created a whole village - houses, a school, and even a hospital for our toys. It was 2003, and at seven years old, I loved spending time with my cousins. And with my mum Denise*, then 35, being one of eight siblings, I had plenty of them. We’d be at each other’s houses almost every weekend, starting right where we left off while the grownups chatted in the kitchen. My sister Sophie was two at the time, and usually just got in the way, but I tried to indulge her nonetheless, distracting her with a Barbie doll. ‘Can I join you?’ a booming voice said from overhead. ‘Uncle Alisdair!’ my cousins and I…

I tried to move on from my horrific experiences, but all through my teenage years, I never felt like I was good enough. I’d become extremely depressed, convinced there was something wrong with me. Alisdair had ruined my childhood, and I hadn’t got justice. He was a free man, able to live his life. But my life had been shattered. Nine years later, in 2015, my grandad passed away. At his funeral with my parents, I bumped into my auntie. ‘How have you been, Jenny?’ she asked politely. How do you think I’ve been? I wanted to shout back. I managed to avoid her that day, but seeing her triggered something in me. I was 18 years old, soon heading to university to study paediatric nursing. But my past was…

Watching the sunset from my favourite restaurant, my partner Ben got down on one knee. ‘Sarah, will you marry me?’ he asked. ‘Get up and stop messing around,’ I laughed, thinking he was joking. ‘Sarah?’ he pressed, holding out a tiny box. As the realisation hit me, I burst into tears. ‘Of course I will,’ I sobbed. I’d known Ben for years, as he was my manager. I was going through a rough time, and Ben was my rock. Eventually, we started talking outside of the office, and within a few months, we had begun dating. Ben was nearly 20 years older than me, but he was everything I had ever looked for in a man. I already had two daughters, Anya, now 16, and Millie, who is now 10.…