Kate Garraway discloses financial difficulties as she confesses she is on 'survival mode' since his death

Kate Garraway has opened up concerning the great amount of debt she’s dealing with for the care of her late husband Derek Draper.

After falling critically ailing with Covid in 2020, Derek spent over a 12 months in hospital and after being discharged, required round the clock care at dwelling. He handed away in January aged 56 and is survived by his and Kate’s two kids: Darcey, 18, and Billy, 14.

You might also likeWATCH: Kate Garraway shares heartbreaking second between daughter Darcey and Derek earlier than his dying

In a brand new interview with The Instances, Kate spoke about her final interactions with Derek, and likewise revealed the £800k value of care debt she’s incurred.

“We had been in a really totally different place, health-wise, from the 12 months earlier than – and it felt just like the happiest place. We had extra of Derek again. We all the time knew his accidents might take him, however it all felt so optimistic at that time, it was the furthest from my thoughts that something might occur,” mentioned Kate, who had simply landed in Mexico to gather Derek from a pioneering mind cell clinic when she obtained a name to say that he had suffered a cardiac arrest mid-flight.

Derek Draper has passed away at the age of 56 — Derek Draper handed away on the age of 56 in January

Though docs restarted his coronary heart and Derek underwent 14 hours of neurosurgery, he by no means regained consciousness. On January 3, he “slipped away” together with his spouse and two kids by his facet.

Whereas Derek wanted 24/7 care whereas at dwelling, he was not eligible for funding, leaving Kate with giant money owed. In her interview, the journalist estimated the care debt to be £500,000 to £800,000.

Derek Draper watching TV covered in blankets with his children — Derek required round the clock care at dwelling after being hospitalised with Covid

Kate already owed money owed in extra of £700,000, which had been incurred after she closed her husband’s psychotherapy firm again in March 2022.

“It is imagined to be a system that is meant to catch you for those who fall,” mentioned Kate. “However really, it feels prefer it’s attempting to catch you out. You’re feeling such as you’re within the dock answering questions on issues that can actually imply life or dying to somebody you’re keen on. Derek’s wants had been clearly so nice, but he did not warrant funded care — so that you assume, ‘If he isn’t getting it, then who’s?'”

“To be truthful to them, nobody’s contacted me since he’s handed away to ask for that,” she continued. “They might effectively nonetheless do, however they haven’t as but. The larger image of the additional appeals I have never addressed but, as a result of I’m nonetheless in survival mode.”

Derek with Kate and their two children months before his death — Derek with Kate and their two kids months earlier than his dying

Kate’s third documentary, titled Derek’s Story, airs on Tuesday night time. Filmed throughout Derek’s final 12 months, the movie highlights Derek’s private struggles, in addition to the challenges confronted by hundreds of thousands of individuals within the UK residing with severe sickness and people caring for them.

Whereas broadcasting the documentary after Derek’s dying felt “insufferable” to Kate initially, she mentioned the movie is his “legacy”.

Derek Draper and Kate Garraway — Kate says her and Derek’s third documentary is his “legacy”

“I feel I’ve bought to, as a result of Derek wished it. So it is for him; it is his legacy, for those who like,” she mentioned, including that she hopes to “give a voice” to the opposite carers on this nation who “I now really feel so accountable to talk up for”.

Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story airs on ITV1 and ITVX on Tuesday 26 March at 9pm.

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