A YEAR ago this week, Calvin Buckley and his partner of three years - pregnant and beaming Frankie Julia Hough - proudly hosted a gender reveal party. Surrounded by their family and friends, Calvin recalls cooking mountains of food for the celebration. It was, he said, the happiest he had ever been.
They revealed to tears, applause and pink balloons that Frankie was expecting a girl - Calvin's first child and a little sister for her two boys.
"I was so happy to become a father," says Calvin, 41. "I remember it being a busy day. There was lots of food. Family were around and people were really happy. Me and Frankie were the happiest we had ever been. She was over the moon and so were her mum and dad.
They had grandsons, but now a granddaughter. Frankie had two sons, and a daughter would have completed it." Tragically, less than a week later, Calvin's world and the lives of their families were shattered by a selfish, showoff, speeding driver who had been filming himself behind the wheel while reaching speeds of up to 123mph Frankie, who was 38, was killed in a horror motorway crash that also claimed the life of their unborn daughter, Neeve.
Yesterday 12 months on from the joyous celebration of new life - Calvin was standing at the side of the East Lancashire Road in Swinton, Salford, fronting a powerful new road safety campaign.
This story is from the May 08, 2024 edition of Manchester Evening News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 08, 2024 edition of Manchester Evening News.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
West Bank Soldiers Killed As China Makes Extra Aid Pledge
TWO soldiers have been killed in a car-ramming attack in the occupied West Bank, the Israeli military said.
SQUAD GOALS Return to Euro nights mean manager faces balancing act
SCHEDULE MEANS REDS MUST LOOK AT BRINGING IN SEVEN TO REBUILD STARTING XI AND BEYOND
City fans can now enjoy the very best after seeing the worst...
THERE'S a chant that inevitably comes up at City games home or away and Blues are always waiting for it.
All Blacks expect a tough England test
FORMER All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter believes England have the talent to move away from \"risk-free\" tournament rugby and will be out to make a statement against New Zealand this summer.
Customers rally after plea from restaurant
STRUGGLING VENUE ISSUED 'CRY FOR HELP'
King's carriage for Trooping
THE King is to take part in the Trooping the Colour ceremony but will inspect the soldiers from a carriage rather than on horseback, it is understood.
Evil predator secretly filmed sex attacks on victims
RAPIST HAD CAMERAS HIDDEN IN PENS TO CAPTURE ASSAULTS
Drug bosses paid women £300 each to smuggle £75k of cannabis
PAIR SPARED PRISON SENTENCES BY JUDGE
Top Christie doc died after 'failures in care'
CANCER HOSPITAL EXPERT DID NOT GIVE 'INFORMED CONSENT'
Keane's clash with fan shown in assault trial
ARSENAL SUPPORTER ACCUSED OF HEADBUTTING EX-REDS LEGEND