Well wishes have been sent by ECHO readers to local radio presenter Claire Simmo after she revealed a catalogue of personal heartache in recent years.
The DJ, who works for Radio City 96.7 and Greatest Hits Radio, lost her job, her marriage and her home, plus had to declare herself bankrupt, in the last six years.
The 45-year-old has spoken of how she's been financially crippled as she juggles getting up at 4.30am every morning to present her breakfast show.
Now, the bubbly mum-of-two has been nominated for a Positive Award in recognition of her gruelling lifestyle which has never seen her take a day off work.
On Facebook, readers paid tribute to the former Ainsdale High School pupil who looks after her children Michael, 16, and Melodie, 13, as a single mum.
Sam Sngh wrote: "May God help you and to be strong.
"Good luck in your future for you and your kids."
Debby Baxendale said: "Strong beautiful lady....and no matter what happens you've always got your fab kids."
Derek Griffiths wrote: "How does she make it through the day? Thoughts and prayers."
Alison Reece said: "You are lovely Claire and deserve all the love in the world."
Graham Macgrath added: "Your a beautiful, strong woman, keep on going on. Good luck."
Claire hosts TV and local events and also stars in panto while taking her daughter from Ainsdale to Holly Lodge Girl's College in West Derby three times a week for dancing lessons.
Claire said: “I’ve never wanted sympathy or for people to feel sorry for me so I’d never really spoken about my challenges before.
“I think it’s important to though because with the likes of social media, it can look like people just have this amazing life from the outside - which I do!
“But people don’t see the struggles behind the likes of the glamorous pictures on Facebook etc. I think that’s important for people to remember that about social media in general.”
Three years ago, Claire took her children to move in her with mum, Margaret, who has a lung disease called pulmonary fibrosis.
The family initially thought the living arrangements would be short-term until she recovered, but later found out it was incurable.
After an infection in October, Claire’s mum now needs oxygen 24 hours a day and the only time she leaves the house is in an ambulance to go to the hospital.
She can have trouble breathing so Claire keeps her phone on her 24 hours a day and often sleeps on the couch when her mum has a bad day.
The presenter spent most of her young life in hospital up until the age of eight after having major surgery on her hips.
Nominations for the Positive Awards are open until this Friday (July 26) and the finalists will be announced on Monday, July 29.
Voting for the winner will then open for two weeks.
To find out more about the positive awards, please visit www.positiveawards.co.uk
.png?w=600)
