A tragic bride has fulfilled her dying wish and tied the knot with her husband – just days after doctors diagnosed her with terminal cancer and said she had weeks to live.
Lorraine Marsh, 53, was going to wed her sweetheart Shane Green, 54, next summer, but when she visited the doctors 13 November they told her she was dying.
Brave Lorraine thought she was just going to get gallstones removed, but medics said she had pancreatic cancer that had spread to her liver.
But friends and family rallied around to donate £2,300 to the couple and even gave Lorraine a wedding dress when they brought their wedding forward to Friday 20 November.
The money has also covered their honeymoon and an early Christmas for the family, who have seven children and five grandchildren from previous marriages.
Nottingham City Council agreed to let them hold the ceremony at the Council House at short notice, and the wedding was planned in just seven days.
Speaking from her home in Long Eaton, Derbys, Lorraine said: “It’s been absolutely outstanding – my wish came true. Shane is my soulmate. It was really emotional.
“The doctors said I probably have weeks left, but all this has kept me going.”
“I can’t believe how generous people have been. I don’t think the news has really sunk in, though I do think it’s unfair. Cancer is such a cruel disease.”
Lorraine, whose mum Shelia Whitbread died of lung cancer in 1989 aged 44, had her gall bladder removed in September.
She went to the doctors on November 13 when she thought she needed to have another gallstone removed.
But following tests at Royal Derby Hospital, she was told she had pancreatic cancer, and that it was terminal.
Husband Shane, who works as an industrial cleaning company, said: “I thought she was just going in to have another gall stone removed.
“When we found out the news, it just broke us, we were just numb.
“But I’m over the moon – ecstatic – to marry her.
“We are going to make the most of every minute and be positive.”
Shane and Lorraine had known each other as children, but were reintroduced after Lorraine split with her last husband and Shane’s wife died.
They have been together for three years and were due to marry at the plush Welbeck Suite in West Bridgford, Nottingham, on June 18, next year, but had to bring plans forward last week.
Lorraine’s 11-year-old son, Harry Marsh, said: “We are staying strong for mum. She looked beautiful.”
Lorraine’s daughter, Sophie Sheperd, 22, added: “It’s been amazing but overwhelming. “This is the man she’s been wanting to marry for a long time. She’s an amazing woman.”
Lorraine’s other son, Lee, 29, said: “My mum has made me proud. I want to thank her for everything she has done for me. They are a lovely couple.”
Lorraine’s dad Kenneth, 72, walked her down the aisle and comforted Shane as he wept at the ceremony.
Councillor Graham Chapman, deputy leader of the city council, said: “I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to help.”
