A ring blessing was held on a hospital ward so a terminally ill mother could see her daughter in her wedding dress because she will miss the big day.
Lorraine Cheal, 58, who has lung and brain cancer, is receiving palliative care at Walsall Manor Hospital and was the VIP guest at the ceremony.
Daughter Melissa, 27, is marrying Jacob McCausland on December 29 this year but following the diagnosis of Lorraine’s cancer, she knows her mum will not be there.
Her terminal diagnosis comes despite the fact she has never smoked or drank and has led a healthy lifestyle, her family say.
With the help of the hospital’s staff on ward seven, the Cannock couple visited Lorraine today with hospital Chaplain Anthony Swaby performing the ceremony.
Melissa, a special needs teacher, said: "It meant such a lot to us because mum has been planning the wedding with me and was there when I chose my dress
"It was important for us to make this memory with her and when we have our wedding in December we will make sure the video that my godmother took of today’s ceremony plays a part.
"Mum smiled all the way through which was lovely as she wasn’t so well yesterday. We feel blessed to have this opportunity and to be able to share something so special.”
Groom Jacob, 26, a civil servant, said; “Melissa wore her wedding dress and the room had been decorated by staff; it seems a bit surreal as everything has happened so quickly.
"But it means so much to us both that this could be arranged.”
Ward seven sister Laura Trow added: “Melissa looked absolutely beautiful, stunning. We send her and Lorraine all our love.”
