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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
National
Alexandra Rucki

Terminally ill dad and partner celebrate 'fairytale wedding' after thousands raised through fundraising appeal

A dad with incurable cancer and his partner celebrated their dream fairytale wedding after kindhearted family, friends and M.E.N readers donated thousands to a charity appeal.

Jack and Amber-Jay Taylor, of Newton Heath, tied the knot at St Mary's Church in Failsworth followed by a reception at Holy Family, also in Failsworth, on Saturday.

A total of £2,800 was raised through an online fundraising appeal set up by Amber's cousin to help the couple fulfil their final wish of getting married.

The wedding cars were donated by a complete stranger, while a 17-year-old boy donated his make-up and hair services for the bride and bridesmaids.

The family described the wedding as 'perfect' (Gemma Blackhurst)

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Room decorations and photography services were also given free of charge.

Amber's cousin, Gemma Blackhurst, created a GoFundMe page for the couple who were forced to delay wedding plans after Jack, 28, was diagnosed with acute myeloid cancer two years ago.

Jack was diagnosed with the disease while Amber, 23, was pregnant with their daughter Zelda two years ago.

The donations meant the couple could afford a few luxuries, which made the day extra special (Gemma Blackhurst)

He has undergone chemotherapy and intense stem cell treatment, but doctors told him the cancer was 'incurable' after Jack relapsed in July 2019.

The couple have been described as being 'madly in love' and they told family they wanted to get married as their final wish.

They said they felt 'overwhelmed' by the support given following the fundraising appeal and described the wedding day as 'perfect'.

The couple have been described as being 'madly in love' and they told family they wanted to get married as their final wish (Gemma Blackhurst)

Gemma, 34, from Failsworth, said: "The couple had an amazing day and would like to thank everyone for their support.

"We honestly could be there all day thanking everyone and especially the public who donated money.

"It paid obviously for the room hire and buffet etc, but for luxuries like a photo booth for the extra special memories to be captured and all the stunning outfits.

Amber-Jay Taylor, 23 (Gemma Blackhurst)

"Jack's doing ok - in actual fact he is an amazing young lad the strength and determination is unreal.

"He’s had the odd bits of sickness here and there as he’s started chemo injections and they will give them as long as they are keeping things at bay."

Jack and Amber-Jay with their daughter Zelda (Gemma Blackhurst)

Gemma added medics are now looking into a donor lymphocite infusion and clinical trials to treat the cancer.

She said: "We still haven’t been told that Jacks' cancer can be cured, but there’s now new avenues to explore which has given us as a family a whole new lease of hope and for the couple that is the best wedding present ever."

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