My 2022 Christmas Message in giving you all greetings for today: is hold those closest to you even tighter.

This December 25th understandably gives me feelings not in tune with being Festive, knowing today marks exactly a year since the passing of my late Brother Kieran.

Christmas will forever be tinged with sadness and heartbreak and thus is the reason why one’s house hasn’t had a tree or any decorations up within this year, why I don't care about not presents and why I haven’t listened to many Seasonal songs, barring for the last two weeks of Wolverhampton Parkrun - a thing which gives me something to truly enjoy every Saturday despite life's rollercoaster.

It’s still hard to quite comprehend our families loss in such a quick manner, between when being told on December 20th of him being in West Middlesex Hospital from the 17th, until his passing 8 days later on the evening of Christmas Day.

I again say; as I always have, that he was a man whose potential was utterly unlimitless and whom I know would have been a phenomenon in the world of Business and French, being what he studied at the University of Westminster.

But at least we have a wonderful collection of memories of his 25 years and 8 months - one which my Mum I am sure doesn’t mind me sharing in the above image, when Kieran took her on a visit to the set to her favourite soap in Coronation Street, which included heading inside the world loved Rovers Return Inn several years back. It is without doubt a programme which both was a gripping part of the daily schedule whilst growing up and really does reflect, day to day life for so many up and down the land.

Whatever you folk are doing today and in the coming days, I hope it is as Merry and Bright as it can be for you and your folks. As Sir Keir Starmer said in his message, Christmas is a time to be together with others and not only I will raise a toast to him later, I ask you all join to do the same.

A Toast For Kieran is exactly what my brother would have wanted and from us all, we give our wholehearted thanks to you for your wonderful support - throughout a 12 months which has left us an enormous hole to fill.

Bro - I miss you, I wish you were here through what has been an extraordinary 2022 for me and which I will reflect on via a post here next Saturday: but know your spirit, will forever drive me on and I am always grateful you were a special part of my life.