Steve Bland – 12 months since the death of his wife 

The husband of BBC presenter Rachael Bland will share his experiences of the last 12 months since she died from breast cancer at the wellness event of the year.

Rachael died on September 5 last year, two years after being diagnosed with incurable breast cancer.

She was part of the award-winning podcast You, Me and the Big C, when her and co-hosts Lauren Mahon and Deborah James discussed their own experiences of cancer.

Steve Bland will join a host of inspirational speakers at the Being Well Festival at Coventry’s Ricoh Arena on Thursday, October 24 which aims to promote happier, healthier lives by educating people about their health and general wellness.

As the first anniversary of his wife’s death approaches, he said: “I miss Rachael every day. Since she died, we have had our wedding anniversary, her birthday in January, Christmas and Valentine’s Day so dates are always coming up that are going to have extra poignancy.

“When September 5 arrives, I will cross that bridge when I come to it and not worry too much in the days leading up to it about how certain things are going to feel. I won’t be overthinking it too much.”

 “When Rachael died there was interest in her story and I took the decision that I didn’t want all the great work she had done to no longer have an impact because I would have felt really bad,” he said.

“I thought the Festival seemed like a great, positive event and I’m looking forward to getting involved.”

The event is free but visitors will need to book tickets to attend by going to www.beingwellfestival.co.uk or www.beingwellfestival2019.eventbrite.co.uk

Rachael and Steve Bland with their son Freddie