Eight weeks ago, @cat_nolan and I made a difficult decision for her and Francesca to move out due to the COVID risk I was bringing home.
My greatest fear at that time was missing Francesca’s first birthday 1/11

As the weeks went on and thousands of families were devastated by this illness, it became clear that there was no way our family would be together for the celebration.
I refused to think about it. I was too busy in work and kept myself busy at home 2/11

I was due to be in work on the evening of her birthday, so as the day drew closer, plans were made for a little celebration with my @EdMacclesfield family.
But what I have experienced in the last 24hrs was not a little celebration, but the most enormous celebration 3/11

It started with a cake from Honey Bee Cakes, so I could join Catriona and Cesca blowing out a candle at her birthday lunch 4/11

And then I arrived into work to this!! Cakes, sandwiches, crisps, balloons, presents, bunting and a few beers for dad too! 5/11

I had ordered some @Dominos_UK for the evening and when they found out about the reason they refused to accept payment. Thank you Domino’s Macclesfield so much 6/11

I have been very lucky to have had some incredible jobs over the years and I know I work with some incredible people. I see it everyday with how they treat our patients and each other. But the love and kindness I’ve experienced in the last 24hrs has blown me away 7/11

But COVID didn’t get the message about our celebrations. It still reared it’s ugly head in our department and around the country, causing illness, death and suffering like we’ve never seen before. 8/11

And this is where I plea.
Yes, restrictions might be reducing in the coming days, but this is not over.
Please, I want to see my girls soon, I want to give my one year old a hug that I was last able to give her when she was 10 months old. 9/11

But even more so, I don’t want to be calling your family, or any other, to say a loved one is very sick or dying.
Every call is heart breaking:
“I’m sorry I’ve had to tell you this way, we will look after them, please stay safe yourself” 10/11

Please, in the coming weeks, only go out if you need to, wash your hands, follow the rules.

COVID IS NOT OVER!

You might not be affected but trust me, other families will continue to be.

We can get through this but only if we get through it together. 11/11