Australian radio presenter Craig ‘Huggy’ Huggins pays tribute to his elderly mother Joyce who died from COVID-19 at a nursing home
Last month, radio presenter Craig ‘Huggy’ Huggins announced the tragic death of his mother Joyce, who passed away from COVID-19 while at a nursing home.
The Melbourne-based star paid tribute to his mother in an interview with The Daily Telegraph’s Stellar magazine on Sunday.
‘I wasn’t able to visit and hug my mother in her final hours, or tell her face-to-face of my love for her,’ he told the publication.
Heartbreaking: Australian radio host Craig ‘Huggy’ Huggins paid tribute to his late mother Joyce who died from coronavirus last month (both pictured)
‘And given the limit of 10, my own children couldn’t attend Nan’s funeral,’ he continued.
‘For months, we have witnessed people behaving irresponsibly with the rules that have been handed down to curb this insidious virus, so I knew that mine and Mum’s message had to make people react immediately.’
The Gold 104.3 presenter explained how he leaned on the support of his listeners.
Craig shared the devastating news of his mother’s passing on July 28.
‘Through Gold 104.3, I’ve always felt that you and I have had that sort of relationship where we can tell each other anything,’ he said.
‘So I want to tell you that I’m finishing early today. In fact, I’m going home right now. Sadly I’ve just received a call to let me know that my elderly mum Joyce has passed away at a nursing home with COVID-19.’
Her final hours: ‘I wasn’t able to visit and hug my mother in her final hours, or tell her face-to-face of my love for her,’ he told Stellar magazine
He continued: ‘There’s no need to ring me, I know your thoughts are with me and my family.’
Craig then urged listeners to wear protective ‘face masks, social distance and do the right thing’ as the pandemic continues to intensify.
‘I just want to ask you to be careful. Wear your mask, social distance and do the right thing. Many people don’t know anyone that’s had the virus, but now you do, Huggy’s mum. Stay safe and and I’ll be back in a new few days,’ he said.
He said on his radio show: ‘So I want to tell you that I’m finishing early today. In fact, I’m going home right now. Sadly I’ve just received a call to let me know that my elderly mum Joyce has passed away at a nursing home with COVID-19’
Victoria reported 182 new COVID-19 infections and 13 additional fatalities on Saturday, taking the national death toll to 485.
There are 610 COVID-19 patients in hospital, with 36 battling the virus in intensive care and 22 on a ventilator.
The new figures come after the state reported 179 cases on Friday, its lowest daily increase in more than five weeks when 177 infections were reported on July 13.
Rules: Last month, Premier Daniel Andrews (pictured) announced face masks will become mandatory across Melbourne and Mitchell Shire in a bid to stop the spread of COVID-19