“Derek, I just wanted to send this message to say thank you. Because of you, I am a stronger person.

I now have two little children and also now have my niece living with us after losing both my father-in-law and my sister-in-law in the last four months. Despite this being the craziest time of my life, I feel as though I am able to keep strong as you empowered me to.

It may, or may not, seem strange that I am still overweight but I can honestly say that it was my Dad’s issue much more than mine. Last year, after another major kick-off, I feel that we have finally moved on, or at least have agreed to draw a line under our previous problems. Again, because of you, I was able to sit down with Dad face-to-face and say what I needed to say.

Things are going well at work too. I will be returning to work, after maternity leave, in a more senior role.

Whilst I am sure I still have a way to go, and hope that our paths will cross again one way or another, I just wanted to make sure I had properly said thank you for everything.”