To the outside world radio presenter Claire Simmo seemed to be living a perfect life but her trademark smile was covering up her secret suffering.
The bubbly mum-of-two is a radio presenter for Radio City 96.7 and Greatest Hits Radio, hosts TV and local events and also stars in panto.
But in the past six years, Claire, 45, has lost her job, her marriage and her home, had to declare herself bankrupt, and look after children Michael, 16, and Melodie, 13, as a single mum.
The former Ainsdale High School pupil says she's been financially crippled as she juggles getting up at 4.30am every morning to present her breakfast show, in addition to three trips a week from Ainsdale to Holly Lodge for her daughter’s dancing, plus football with her son.
And she then often works in the evening hosting events.
It's a glamorous but gruelling lifestyle but Claire, who has recently been recognised by Positive Awards for her inspiration and positivity, said she never took a day off work or discussed it with anyone - until now.
Sleeping on the sofa
Claire said: “I’ve never wanted sympathy or for people to feel sorry for me so I’d never really spoken about my challenges before.
“I think it’s important to though because with the likes of social media, it can look like people just have this amazing life from the outside - which I do!
“But people don’t see the struggles behind the likes of the glamorous pictures on Facebook etc. I think that’s important for people to remember that about social media in general.”
Three years ago, Claire took her children to move in her with mum, Margaret, who has a lung disease called pulmonary fibrosis.
The family initially thought the living arrangements would be short-term until she recovered, but later found out it was incurable.
After an infection in October, Claire’s mum now needs oxygen 24 hours a day and the only time she leaves the house is in an ambulance to go to the hospital.
She can have trouble breathing so Claire keeps her phone on her 24 hours a day and often sleeps on the couch when her mum has a bad day.
Major surgery
Claire said: “I think my mum is where I get my positivity from! She’s so determined. She’s been in intensive care, she was told she wouldn’t make it past Christmas and yet she has. She brought me and my brothers up to always be positive.”
Claire is happy to look after her mum as she says her parents took care of her when she spent most of her life in hospital up until the age of eight after having major surgery on her hips.
Claire said: “Hardly anyone knew about my time in hospital until I opened up about it not that long ago. I was told I wouldn’t be able to do so many things like ride a horse, or have children, and now here I am with two!
“The only thing I was really scared of was having my blood taken and I basically needed blood transfusions to survive.
“So now, to get over that fear, I’ve become a blood donor and give blood regularly with a group of others. I’ve recently forced myself to go abseiling too!”
It’s this kind of attitude that has kept Claire going through hard times and the support her brothers Pete and Mark, their partners Chris and Gill and her boyfriend Henry.
My wonderful children keep me going
Claire said: “I see problems as challenges and I’m the type of person where if I stopped I’d probably collapse!
“I get this attitude from my mum but also my brothers. Peter has helped me massively. If it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be able to do things I do.
“I also met my partner Henry in November and he’s been a massive support and he just gets my lifestyle and gets me! My wonderful children keep me going too.
“The job I do helps too I guess. It’s radio so it relies on your voice to be happy and positive. Panto and hosting events keeps me motivated too.”
Claire was thrilled when she learned she was nominated for a Positive Award, not only for the nomination but also for the response it got.
She said: “It’s great to be recognised but seeing all the lovely comments and support from so many people has been overwhelming! It really reminds you how there’s such lovely people in the world.”
Nominations for the Positive Awards are open until this Friday (July 26) and the finalists will be announced on Monday, July 29.
Voting for the winner will then open for two weeks.
Winners are selected by a combination of votes and a panel of judges and will be announced at a gala black tie dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Liverpool One, Liverpool, on Friday, September 20.
To find out more about the positive awards, please visit www.positiveawards.co.uk
Do you have a positive Southport story? Do you know of an inspiring Southport person? Please email Southport Visiter reporter Catherine MacKinlay at: catherine.mackinlay@reachplc.com or call her on 0151 472 2444.
