When Michelle Tolley won an award at the Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards for her campaign work, she was on top of the world. But there was another surprise in store for her.
The 60-year-old (or as she likes to say, “59 plus one”) has been a tireless campaigner, fighting for answers for the more than 30,000 people infected with HIV and hepatitis C as part of the NHS infected blood scandal.
Last year, she won a Pride of Britain Special Recognition Award alongside fellow campaigners Andrew Evans and Jason Evans.
Michelle was at the side of the stage with other winners, watching midwife Agnes Nisbett receive an award. Hosts Carol Vorderman and Ashley Banjo told Agnes she was receiving a cruise holiday from P&O Cruises – the new headline partner for the awards from this year – before revealing that every 2024 winner would also get the same prize.
“I was so happy for her,” says Michelle. “Then they said, ‘No, all of you have won a cruise holiday!’”
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For Michelle, this amazing surprise came after decades of ill health and hard work supporting fellow victims and holding the government to account.
She was infected with hepatitis C when receiving a blood transfusion following the birth of her first child in 1987. She endured 28 years of fatigue and illness, her symptoms dismissed by a doctor, before she was eventually diagnosed. And it was another year until she began treatment.
“I was so angry. I said to my husband Dean, ‘I have to channel this into something good, or I don’t know what I will do,’” Michelle says.
She went on to manage a support group for fellow sufferers, worked alongside the Hepatitis C Trust, and presented at the official government enquiry.
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After all that, the prospect of a relaxing holiday was more than welcome. And Michelle and Dean hadn’t been abroad since they were married in 1984.
“I said to Dean, ‘Either I’m going on my own or you’ll have to come with me,’” laughs Michelle.
“We celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary a week after the ceremony last October, and when we booked our Canary Islands cruise holiday for May, I told P&O Cruises that I was thinking about renewing our wedding vows.
“They later called me back and said, ‘You mentioned renewing your vows – we’ve organised that for you.’
“They did everything. They gave me the most beautiful bouquet of flowers, did our photographs, gave us a beautiful framed photo, and even treated us to two lovely meals.”
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The couple travelled on board Ventura. Michelle’s only sailing experience was a journey she took when she was nine, and she couldn’t believe the difference.
“Just seeing the ship was mindblowing,” she says. “It felt like Christmas day and seeing all your presents. I had a childish urge to squeal – I was welling up with emotion.
As well as their special vow renewal, Michelle and Dean made the most of all the facilities on board, enjoying the incredible food, the on-board shops, the pools and the theatre. They also got to explore Madeira and the Canary Islands.
“At our first destination, in Madeira, I’d never seen so many banana trees in all my life. I thought we’d just have a wander, but then I saw a taxi and asked the driver, ‘How much for an hour?’ His name was Manuel – he gave us a great price and took us on a tour of the island.”
Following their first adventure ashore, Michelle and Dean were ready to embrace some different ways of exploring, whether by tuk-tuk or river boat.
“In Las Palmas, we did a tuk-tuk tour,” says Michelle. “You should have seen us just trying to get into it – it would have been a brilliant comedy sketch!”
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But the tour was a great way to explore the Old Town and take in the colourful buildings, as well as learning about the history of the city and island from their friendly guide.
“Our guide was so nice and at the end she said I’ve never had so much fun with my passengers,” laughs Michelle.
It wasn’t just the Canaries that inspired the couple.
“Lisbon was our last destination on our way back home and we did a coach and river cruise,” says Michelle. “It was really interesting and we got to see a lot of things, from city views to the landmarks along the River Tagus.”
By the end of their holiday, Michelle and Dean were such converts that they are excited about repeating the experience. Michelle says, “We were treated like royalty, I felt like the queen of Ventura. It was all over too quickly. The food was great and the staff were really lovely.
“If you’ve never been on a cruise holiday, I’d say do it. The facilities are fantastic and everyone is so nice.”
Find out more and book your P&O Cruises holiday at pocruises.com
