Heartbreak for mum and two-year-old daughter who have to live separately during coronavirus lockdown

A hard-working mother has made the agonising decision to live apart from her toddler as she helps put food on the nation’s tables.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Megan Wallace, 28, is a department manager at Asda’s chilled distribution centre in Washington. She has not been able to cuddle her Elena, two, since lockdown was announced on Monday, March 23.

Usually Megan’s mother Sonya McAdam and stepfather Anthony would look after Elena during working hours.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

But Anthony is in an “extremely vulnerable” group and coronavirus rules prevent Megan from simply popping in and out of Sonya and Anthony’s Donwell home.

Megan Wallace is a department manager at Asda's chilled distribution centre in Washington, where she keeps everyone safe and socially distanced.Megan Wallace is a department manager at Asda's chilled distribution centre in Washington, where she keeps everyone safe and socially distanced.
Megan Wallace is a department manager at Asda's chilled distribution centre in Washington, where she keeps everyone safe and socially distanced.

The tough decision was then made by the family, including Elena’s dad Steven, that she would stay with her grandparents while lockdown was in place.

Mum and daughter now have a video chat each morning before Megan, who lives in Concord, goes to work.

She said: “Obviously I didn’t want to put Elena at risk, or my mam and Anthony who’s doing 12 weeks of isolation. So the best decision was to do this as my mam wasn’t working.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I think with Elena being so young it’s hard for her to understand. She’s been asking for me, but she’s got a good relationship with her grandparents. She’s doing well.”

Megan Wallace has had to stay apart from her daughter Elena since lockdown was introduced.Megan Wallace has had to stay apart from her daughter Elena since lockdown was introduced.
Megan Wallace has had to stay apart from her daughter Elena since lockdown was introduced.

Naturally Megan is looking forward to her reunion with Elena and will make sure they both have a great time.

She added: “I’m going to hold her and not let go for a long time. I try not to think about it too much because I get upset. But we’re going to do something lovely.

“People say I’m doing a good thing, but I always put my bairn first and my family. I think most parents would do that. I’m not the only one. It’s a very difficult time for everyone.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Megan is also responsible for the safe working of her teams at Asda.

Her colleague Sophie Blench added: “Megan is a true credit to Asda. She comes into work each day with a smile on her face a positive attitude, despite how difficult the situation is for her.

“She’s a true Asda hero and I know that our colleagues are extremely grateful for everything she does for the team.”

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world.

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you.

How to subscribe to the print edition:

It’s easy to subscribe to your local newspaper. We have arranged a special 20 per cent off subscription offer for people to take advantage of. Visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk, choose the newspaper title, the type of subscription and enter your details.

Related topics: