Pick Me Up! 03-Jun-2021

As a teenager, I always knew I wanted to go into childcare. At the age of 16, I lost my cousin Corina, at just 10-months-old, after she was born with a congenital heart defect. After the funeral, I completed my training in childcare and I began working in schools. I loved working with kids, however it was a few years later, while volunteering for a local charity that I realised my true calling. I wanted to offer emotional support for families and children suffering with congenital heart conditions. I’d seen first-hand the heartbreak it can cause, and I wanted to bridge the gap between the hospital and the home. So, in July 2018, myself and my best friend Zoe launched Heart Heroes. We’re an emotional care charity for families and…

What a great idea With the world beginning to open back up, we can finally make plans and organise our time! Martha Brook’s mid-year diaries are perfect for pencilling fun plans for summer and beyond. Start afresh for the rest of 2021, and choose from a beautiful range of colourful, personalised notebooks. With monthly calendar pages, a yearly planner (July 2021 – August 2022) and weekly diary pages, reflection pages and additional notes – there’s everything you need to capture important dates. Lovingly made by hand in Martha Brook’s West London studio, the luxury hardback covers are coated in a specialist book cover material that feels soft to the touch and printed with real foil. They make a brilliant gift for a parent, student, teacher or any academic. ● Go…

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.…

Stepping off the train, I felt giddy with excitement and joy. We’d just arrived in London and I loved visiting the city. My husband Michael, now 59, and I usually went for our anniversary, but this time, we were with our friends, Tracey, 56, and her husband Gaz, 60, to celebrate their birthdays. It was March 2012, and we were off to see Mamma Mia! in the West End. A big fan of musicals, I couldn’t wait for the weekend to begin. As we arrived at the hotel, I unpacked our bags, ready to glam myself up. Slipping on a nice dress and heels, I was ready to party. Only, just as we were about to leave, I caught my heel on the plush carpet and felt my right foot…

Pottering around the kitchen, it was another busy day. As I got to work on a few chores, my daughter Daisy, then 12, was dancing around, listening to Ed Sheeran’s, Castle on the Hill. It was her favourite song, so we had to listen to it on repeat. Along with Daisy, I had my son Evan, then 10, and little Zak, then four, who I’d had with my husband Leighton, now 55. Leighton was Daisy and Evan’s stepdad, but he was amazing with them. We had a wonderful life, but in July 2015, it all changed. After complaining of leg spasms, Daisy was taken down for an X-ray. ‘We need you to bring her back in for an MRI,’ the doctor told me down the phone. ‘We’ve found a shadow…

This week, our tip of the week will receive a great product from Addis! The sleek Mode two piece set is a great addition to the bathroom. The pedal bin comes complete with a separate liner and the ultra-hygienic toilet brush which offers a discreet place for your cleaning detergent. Hard wearing and won’t dent or rust. For more ways to make your life easier, visit addis.co.uk Wildlife whisperer After scooping the middle of a fruit, poke holes in the sides for string and hang up full of birdseed for a zero waste bird feeder. Laura Raynor, Bradford One too many! If you’ve spilt red wine, blot it with a paper towel, cover the stain with a thick layer of salt, let the salt soak and simply hoover to remove…