December Newsletter 2023.docx | Page 7

Issue Number 20 | December 2023
then ?” I love the banter between both Kelly-Ann and John and Kelly-Ann and her colleagues in the Glasgow newsroom . Kelly-Ann also took this opportunity to tell us that the nights we see her and John having banter is because there is actually time before the end of the programme and the nights where there isn ' t there ’ s no time at all ! She also explained that the banter is always based on the “ and finally ” story of the programme and while viewers are watching the package that there are conversations happening between everyone in the ears of the presenters and between the presenters themselves as to who is saying what so that they don ’ t speak over one another , always a challenge when dual presenting ! We then got taken back into the gallery to watch Phillip record the weather for the following day , which was crazy , to know that what we were watching would appear on our screens again the very next day . We then , as we were walking out of the gallery were explaining the backstory of my visual impairment to Kelly-Ann , all about being born early and the fact that I caught a very serious infection when I was three weeks old and explaining that if I hadn ' t have told her I was visually impaired Kelly-Ann would never have known and how she related to that with her little one . Kelly-Ann has seriously made all the dreams of an aspiring broadcaster come true by firstly sharing her story and for making this visit happen . It is something I won ' t ever forget . We kept saying to each other “ You ’ re so inspiring ”, and to be honest , I don ’ t find myself inspiring but to hear that from someone like Kelly-Ann , a role model , means the world . The gorgeous message that was left by Kelly-Ann when signing my emails was just unbelievable , so inspiring and beautiful , I keep revisiting it too . It read : “ Eve , it has been a pleasure showing you around . Wonderful to meet such a young , ambitious , driven journalist-to-be ! I look forward to seeing you on screen ! Love Kelly-Ann Woodland . That message is , and the last month or so of my life has been , surreal , incredible and above all inspirational . I was inspired by Kelly-Ann as a journalist before all of this happening but it ’ s more than just her job that inspires me now , it ’ s her strength to share a story as personal as this , it ’ s her unbelievable honesty in doing so , it ’ s her warmth , her words and her heart of gold . It was so surreal for both me and my parents to watch Kelly-Ann on the news that night knowing exactly how this show is made and my parents and I all said to each other “ I can ' t believe that we spent our morning into afternoon with her ”. I can ' t believe it , even still . I still keep looking at the photos we took and being like “ Did that actually happen ?” These stories , Kelly-Ann and Daniel ' s , Laura ’ s , and Keith ’ s are proof that you can do anything that you set your mind to despite any barriers in your way . So , I ’ ll leave you with this , as Kelly-Ann says to Daniel , and now to me , “ Don ’ t let it hold you back ”. I shared this article with Kelly-Ann earlier this month and she loved it ! It moved her and she is really touched that I see her as an inspiration . I gave Kelly-Ann a card when I went to STV which now sits on her desk in Edinburgh which I love !! I hope you loved reading about the incredible day !
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