Huggy pleads for mask-wearing after losing mum to COVID-19

It’s been a tough week for Craig ‘Huggy’ Huggins, with the long-time Gold104.3 announcer feeling a personal impact from the coronavirus.

A day after after revealing to his listeners that his mother was in a nursing home and wasn’t doing well, she unfortunately passed away. Huggy was on air at the time, and cut his show early to leave the station and be with family.

On July 27 when 532 people tested positive to coronavirus in Victoria, he had this to say. “So I’ve just had a call from the nursing home where my mother is. She has alzheimers and we were told middle of last week that she had COVID-19.

“I’ve just had a call overnight to say she has rapidly, rapidly gone downhill and I’d better get out there to see her.”

Huggy returned to work the next day and got the bad news, before sharing that news with the listeners he has developed a close relationship with in Melbourne over almost three decades on air.

He took the opportunity to spread the message of how serious this virus is, and urged everyone to think about the responsibility to help protect those who are more at risk.

“I’ve been here since the very beginning of Gold 104.3, ” he started. “Through Gold104.3 I’ve felt that you and I have the sort of relationship where we can tell each other anything.

“I want to tell you that I’m finishing early today… I’ve just had a call to tell me that my elderly mum, Joyce, has passed away at a nursing home with COVID-19.

“I just want to ask you to be careful. Wear a mask, social distance and do the right thing. Many people don’t know anyone who’s had the virus. But now you do.

“Stay safe, and I’ll be back in a few days on Gold 104.3”.