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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
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Chris kitching

Rugby player, 22, dies one day after marrying love of his life in dream ceremony

A terminally-ill dad died a day after marrying the love of his life in an emotional garden ceremony in front of family and friends.

Rugby union player Navar Herbert, whose funeral will be held on his son's first birthday, was diagnosed with a brain tumour nine months ago and his condition rapidly deteriorated with no chance of survival.

The 22-year-old and his partner Maia Falwasser were determined to get married as he battled a cancerous sarcoma, and they tied the knot at in intimate ceremony as he had just hours to live.

Guests were brought to tears as Mr Herbert held his wife's hand and told her how much he loves her after she walked down the aisle.

Navar Herbert married his bride Maia Falwasser in a garden ceremony (GoFundMe)

Footage from the couple's big day shows his groomsmen helping him to get dressed for his big day before bringing him down the aisle in a wheelchair.

His bride wipes away tears as she walks down the aisle, while holding her mother's hand.

As she joins Mr Herbert under a canopy, he takes her hand and tells her that he loves her, and she leans down to kiss and hug him.

Mr Herbert held his wife's hand and told her he loved her (GoFundMe)

Their young son Kyrie, wearing a white shirt and a bow tie, also features in the video.

His father won't be around when he turns one on July 2.

People who watched the video online told how they were brought to tears.

The couple exchanged vows in a garden in Gold Coast, Australia, the day before Mr Herbert lost his battle with cancer.

The newlyweds are joined by their son Kyrie and family members at their wedding (GoFundMe)

Following the ceremony, family and friends performed an emotional haka for the newlyweds as Mr Herbert became emotional and teared up.

He died on Tuesday night.

Mr Herbert had received the devastating diagnosis just weeks after his son was born in July last year.

Widow Ms Falwasser shared footage of the wedding on a GoFundMe page set up to raise money to repatriate Mr Herbert's body to New Zealand.

Mr Herbert died just nine months after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour (GoFundMe)

It was his final wish to be buried in his hometown of Kotahitanga Marae.

In a touching tribute to her late husband, Ms Falwasser wrote on the GoFundMe page: "Today my heart is heavy and sad, I lost my best friend, Husband and the Father to our Son.

"I feel absolutely showered in LOVE by friends and family, this is a hard time, however i do find my strength and refuge in everybody's support.

Footage of the wedding ceremony was shared after Mr Herbert's death (GoFundMe)

"Navar's Journey has just begun, shortly we will be taking him back to Kotahitanga Marae, where he has asked to be laid to rest.

"He has impacted so many people near and far, and he will always be in our memories and have a special place in our hearts.

"As expected, costs to take Navar back home along with his immediate family have been quite extensive, and to give us every opportunity to spend our last moments spending time with him, we are asking for donations to assist with this.

Mr Herbert's groomsmen helped to dress him and bring him down the aisle (GoFundMe)
Dr Kieran Breen explains low-grade & high-grade tumours

"I am truly truly appreciative of your support. I hope you enjoy our wedding video xx."

She posted a photo of herself and her husband on Facebook following his death, writing: "My forever and always. In sickness & in health."

Ms Falwasser had announced on Facebook on June 1 that doctors told the couple that there were no further treatments available for Mr Herbert, and his cancer had spread and was terminal.

Mr Herbert's former rugby club, the Nerang Bulls, has organised a celebration of his life.

The club wrote on Facebook : “Nerang Bulls Rugby Union Club Committee would like to send all our love to our own Herbert Family on the sad news this morning that Navar has grown his wings overnight."

Mr Herbert's funeral will be held next Tuesday, his son's first birthday.

Friends performed an emotional haka for the newlyweds (GoFundme)

The GoFundMe had raised more than £46,000 (AUD $84,000) within two days of being set up.

Thousands of pounds have been donated by strangers.

One donor wrote on the page: "Your video brought tears to my eyes sending all my love rest in peace keep watch over your whanau. Fly high."

Another wrote: "When he looked up at you his wife to be he seen the beauty of this world in his eyes his forever and eternity my heart grew heavy and I want to be apart of helping him to come home for his final journey.

"I’m sorry I couldn’t donate more and I’m very sorry for your loss."

And one posted: "Safe journeys home to the Motherland Navar!! Much love Herbert/Falwasser."

On Wednesday, an "inspirational" make-up artist lost her cancer battle

Eimear Gooderham, 25, was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma at just 22 before she and her family campaigned tirelessly to find a potential stem cell match.

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