KATE Garraway was all smiles as she drove off to Cornwall in a ‘loan car’ for a much-needed break with her family.
The Good Morning Britain star, 57, has endured an extremely tough few months since the death of her beloved husband Derek Draper in January.
Kate is not only grieving for Derek but she has also been facing crippling bills in the wake of his four-year illness and eventual passing.
She recently revealed she had raided her personal pension fund to help clear the eye watering £800k debt from covering Derek’s medical and care bills.
Last month, she was also saddled with a tax bill of £716,000 after closing her late husband’s company.
But this weekend, Kate has put on a brave face and headed to the south west coast with her parents, two children and a group of extended family members.
Taking to Instagram, she thanked her friends for making it possible following the theft of the family Volvo back in 2020.
Kate had been using a borrowed Peugeot to get around, but was left without a motor when she had to give it back.
She has now been sorted out with the loan of a brand new car, which she has packed to the rafters for her Cornish getaway.
Standing by the full boot alongside her dad, Kate said in a video: “First trip to Cornwall. Our annual family trip with my mum, dad and about 30 other Garraways. Beware, Cornwall!
“The first time I’ve done it in my lovely new Volvo. I’m so excited.
“So we’ve got four suitcases, we’ve got quite a lot of extra food because they don’t sell food in Cornwall so it’s important we take it with us!
“We’ve got a cool box full of lots of things for the fridge that my mum likes to take. Little bit of alcohol and lots of art stuff that my mum likes to do with the nieces and nephews and the little ones.”
She added: “We’re good to go. I can still see over the back! Oh gosh, I forgot, three surfboards as well. Brilliant!”
Kate also wrote a heartfelt post alongside her short video, in which she mentioned her late husband Derek.
“We haven’t had a car since Vickie Volvo was stolen and Percy Peugeot had to go back but thanks to some amazing friends who’ve helped me loan a brand new @volvocaruk C90 – I absolutely love it!!!!!” she said.
“Not an advert just a passion! Feels like old times with hands on an @volvocars wheel, although bitter sweet as this would have been the perfect car to carry Derek in and out of with plenty of room for a hoist and wheelchair in the back.
“But I know he would approve and it’s come just in time to take my mum and Dad away on our annual Cornwall trip with ALL the Garraways!
“Dad slightly tense about me driving but relieved that it beeps every time near an obstacle! Now just have to find a name for it?!”
Kate’s army of followers were thrilled to see the broadcaster with a smile on her face.
Several have suggested she calls her Volvo ‘Derek’ after her husband.
A tough few months
The trip couldn’t have come soon enough for Kate and her two children, 18-year-old Darcey and Billy, 14.
Fans were left concerned for the star last month after she failed to show for her slot on Good Morning Britain.
Kate also sparked concern when she was absent from the Good Morning Britain hotseat twice in March, as well as earlier in May.
A spokesman reassured fans by insisting that she had merely booked some annual leave, however Kate later admitted she was ‘struggling to keep her head above water’.
As she celebrated her birthday, Kate made the confession while thanking her parents for the gift of a wheelbarrow.
“To the people who were there on the 1st birthday – Mum & Dad. You know my garden is my #happyplace but have been feeling overwhelmed recently as it’s got so out of control as have just been racing around trying to keep head above water,” she wrote in a tribute.
“So they surprised me with this wheelbarrow saying that even though our garden isn’t big ‘it helps when lugging & carrying’.
“Not everyone’s first choice for a prezzie but I couldn’t be happier!!!
“Love you so much mum and dad – you always know the best way to get me out there & going forward.
“I can’t wait to get my hands dirty this weekend & get going! Have a fab one everyone!!!”
Kate marked her 57th birthday on May 4 – admitting the first celebrations without Derek were understandably tough.
She said: “Well yesterday was another one of those sad firsts – my first birthday sine Derek’s passing. Woke up feeling so sad and thought well, I can either cry all day or celebrate life as he did so well.”
Dad of two Derek was one of the UK’s longest-suffering Covid patients, after being diagnosed in March 2020.
He was left fighting for his life in hospital after suffering a heart attack in December last year and passed away shortly after.
