Virus knocks Joe out of World Cup

“I feel things are in a good place. I have a wonderful assistant, a very good manager, and we’ve done everything I think we can to give it a very good go. All that’s left now is to go and actually do it!” 

That was our last conversation with Joe Massie the day he flew to The Netherlands to compete as the UK’s contender in the Florint World Cup Floral Art competition.  And for two days all was well.  Visits to the growers, picking up the hire van, unpacking boxes at the Florismart warehouse … all was going swimmingly until Sunday when he started feeling a bit strange.

Like any self-respecting florist he battled on despite feeling dreadful and unable to eat or drink.  By Monday afternoon he was in A&E for the first time before returning to his hotel to rest whilst right hand man and official assistant Matthew Landers carried on with the conditioning and preparation.

Sadly 24 hours was not enough, and a second hospital visit confirmed he had picked up a dreadful virus – possibly on the plane – and needed intravenous treatment to stabilise his body. 

And it was at that point the man who was tipped to take the title, had to make one of the hardest decisions of his career.  Carry on and risk his health knowing full well he would be unable to produce the standard of work he was capable of or admit graceful defeat and, on doctors’ orders, get back to UK where he is currently in Manchester Hospital on an IV drip to contain the infection.

To say he is gutted would be an understatement as Matthew, who has been supporting him every step of way, explained, “Joe has poured his heart into this with the simple aim of bringing the trophy home and showing what the UK is capable of. To have the dream shattered this way has been heartbreaking.  However, I know that what has kept him going over the last couple of days is all the good wishes he has received and how grateful he is to his supporters in the UK and internationally for their kindness and understanding.  He fought as hard as he could to make it happen but in the end his body simply wouldn’t respond, and he had no choice.”

However, whilst this dream may be shattered no one can and will take away the fact that Joe is probably one of the most gifted designers the UK has seen.  There will be other opportunities for Joe to shine, in the meantime we send our love and good wishes for a speedy recovery.