Heartwarming pictures show the moment a pensioner marries his elderly bride in hospital as she bravely battles coronavirus.
The couple, who have been named as Phillip, 78, and Patricia, 88, tied the knot at University Hospital in Coventry.
They had planned to get married after the pandemic but hastily moved forward their plans when Patricia was admitted with Covid-19.
Hospital worker Joanna Shakespeare heard about the couple’s plight and helped them rearrange their wedding in just 24 hours.
Last Thursday (28/1) she tweeted: “We are desperately seeking a registrar to perform a civil wedding ceremony on Covid ward. Can anyone urgently help?”
A member of staff from Coventry Registry Office spotted the tweet and offered to help.
The couple borrowed rings and an “army” of medical staff acted as bridesmaids.
Matron May Parsons and junior doctor Leigh Anne Brace acted as witnesses for the wedding with took place on Friday at Patricia’s bedside.
Pictures released by the hospital show Phillip wearing a smart suit and tie standing next to his new wife who was forced to have an oxygen mask on throughout the ceremony.
The couple met 46 years ago while working on the same pantomime set and remained inseparable ever since yet never married.
A hospital spokesperson said: “After more than 46 years, Phillip, 78, and Patricia, 88, from Coventry were planning on holding their nuptials after the pandemic.
“But after a year of waiting their plans changed, and they called upon our help to hold their wedding at UHCW.
“Thanks to our thoughtful staff, dedicated chaplains and Coventry Registry Office, the couple said ‘I do’ this afternoon on one of our wards with Modern Matron May Parsons and Junior Doctor Leigh Anne Brace as witnesses.
“It may not have been the wedding they imagined, but our amazing staff were able to add some much need sparkle to make their ceremony special by adding a few traditional touches, such as ‘new’ decorations, ‘borrowed’ rings, an army of ‘blue’
bridesmaids and, most importantly, an ‘old’, timeless love.
“This heart-warming reminder shows that it isn’t a choir and bouquets that make a wedding special; it’s commemorating the everlasting bond that two people share.
“From everyone at UHCW, we wish Phillip and Patricia a huge congratulations and all the happiness in the world.
“It’s an afternoon we won’t forget.”
