Broadcaster Kate Garraway recently made a plea to Haringey Council in London on social media out of frustration after receiving unsettling demands regarding her late husband Derek Draper. Derek passed away at the age of 56 before Christmas after battling the effects of long Covid. Kate accused the council of sending demanding letters to Derek, despite his passing, and expressed difficulty in trying to speak to an official at the council. She revealed that she had been struggling with this issue for about three to four years, dealing with posts, bills, demands, and threats of bailiffs still being sent to Derek.
Kate expressed her frustration with Haringey Council on social media, seeking help in dealing with the demands being made to Derek. She mentioned that she had been trying to contact someone about her husband’s passing for ten days, only to be met with long wait times on the phone. Kate also highlighted the lack of a bereavement service to help navigate these issues. The council eventually responded on Twitter, asking Kate to send them a direct message with her details to help resolve the situation.
Derek Draper was one of the first in the UK to fall seriously ill with Covid-19 and was hospitalized in March 2020. He required intensive care and suffered long-lasting damage to his organs, resulting in the need for round-the-clock care. Derek passed away in January 2021 after a heart attack. Kate has been open about the financial struggles she faces in paying for Derek’s care, which costs more than her salary from ITV alone. She revealed that his care costs £16,000 a month and that she is in debt between £500,000 to £800,000, unable to afford basic household expenses due to ongoing care costs.
In a documentary filmed while Derek was alive, Kate discussed their dire financial situation and the challenges of managing his care while struggling to make ends meet. She expressed frustration with the system’s lack of support for individuals like Derek who require extensive care but do not qualify for funded support. Kate emphasized the emotional toll of their financial struggles, which have only been compounded by Derek’s passing. The documentary captured Derek’s final moments and his desire to have his story heard despite his limited speech.
Kate reflected on the emotional experience of watching Derek’s story unfold in the documentary, expressing disbelief that he was not there with her to witness it. She described the process as emotional and expressed a desire to give him a hug while watching the heartbreaking moments captured on camera. Derek’s bravery in sharing his story and allowing cameras into their home was commended, highlighting his courage in facing the challenges of his illness and the impact on his family. Kate’s candid revelations about their financial struggles and the difficulties of navigating posthumous demands underscore the broader issues faced by individuals dealing with bereavement and complex care needs.
