Jane Sherriff, the Widow of the father-of-two from Preston who was stabbed in neck with broken bottle at Jessie J party gives a heart felt statement on her Bottle-Stop Facebook page on the 6 month anniversary of his death:
“Today marks 6 months since Phil died. It’s 6 months since the 8 of us stayed by his side telling each other stories about our last 15/20 years with him in our lives. 6 months since we watched the nurse clean up his poor ruined body for one last time. 6 months since we followed him in his hospital bed as he was wheeled to the operating theatre. 6 months since we kissed him goodbye. 6 months since I watched his chest move with his heartbeat until it stopped.
“Half a year has disappeared in front of my eyes. During this time I have had the darkest days imaginable. At times, I didn’t think I could face another day without him. At times, the grief was completely overwhelming and I couldn’t see a way out. However, I’m still here! We’re still here! And, yes, life is still – generally – poo. But it’s a kinda poo that I can deal with.
“I’ve managed little things – mowing the lawn, changing light bulbs (don’t laugh, I never had!), watching school plays. And I’ve managed big things – organising his funeral, Fathers day weekend in a yurt (!), running a marathon. I’ve been a mum and a dad. I’ve listened to and seen things that no one should ever have to. I’ve met people that I never thought I’d ever have to meet. I accidentally set up Bottle Stop and intentionally set up the Scalextric track. I took my kids on a plane and acquired 2 sheep (not at the same time). I have been through soooooo much but the ONE person that I would talk to about all this – that one person – has gone and that completely and utterly breaks my heart.
“At the end of this month, I will be fighting hard for my husband. And then, once that is done, the Bottle Stop fight really begins.