A terminally ill bride married her longtime partner after the congregation gathered to organize a wedding in 48 hours.
Ann Ruddock, 56, was diagnosed with brain and lung cancer last month and said she had four to six months to live.
She and her fiancé Keith Pearce, who have been engaged for 10 years, finally decided to get married and started discussing the idea with the Douglas Macmillan Hospice.
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But last week Ann was told that her forecast had changed and she only had a week or two left.
The Dougie Mac staff, along with Emma Wisely of Leek Weddings – who helps the terminally ill get married – pulled out all the stops to make sure Ann and Keith got their wedding anniversary.
A call on social media sparked a flurry of support from well-wishers and local suppliers making sure all essentials for the wedding – including dress, flowers, hair and makeup, catering, drinks and cake – were covered.
The wedding was in record time by Dougie Mac. organized
(Image: Pete Stonier / Stoke Sentinel)
Last night, Ann and Keith’s family and friends gathered at their home in Blurton to watch them say “yes”.
Keith, 55, said, “It was so overwhelming. We just want to thank everyone for their kindness. We can’t believe that people who don’t even know us would do so much for us.
“It’s amazing, I’m so happy that we got married.”
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The couple first met in the 1980s when they were both married to other people. Ann moved away, and Keith hasn’t seen her for more than 20 years.
When he found out she was divorced, he went to see her and the couple got together about 12 years ago. They each have four children and a total of 24 grandchildren.
Ann with her children before the ceremony
(Image: Pete Stonier / Stoke Sentinel)
Ann was diagnosed with cancer after seeing her doctor with a headache. Keith said, “She had a scan and that’s when they told us. We were really stunned. At first we just couldn’t register it.
“We’ve been engaged for 10 years but we just couldn’t make it, we just started life.
“We started getting married to the Dougie Mac, but then Ann went to an appointment at the hospital and they told us their prognosis had changed. It hit us like a ton of stones.
“I can’t believe everyone managed to get the wedding together so quickly. The Dougie Mac was amazing. “
Ann and Keith pictured when they got engaged
Jackie Murray of Fenton, who is a social worker at Dougie Mac, helped organize the wedding.
She said: “When I heard about Ann’s unexpectedly brief prognosis and her desire to marry, I was determined to do everything I can to help them.
“The hospice would like to thank everyone who offered their help. We were really overwhelmed by the generosity and friendliness of our local community. It was such a privilege to be part of such a special and intimate time for such a lovely couple.”
The couple have been engaged for 10 years.
(Image: Pete Stonier / Stoke Sentinel)
“Working in the hospice enabled me to respond to the individual needs of patients and their families and to offer practical support.
“Keith and Ann are so welcoming and I am so honored that they invited me to their home to share their special day with them.”
One of the kind-hearted vendors who helped with the wedding was Jason Grant, who runs Shelton-based GG’s Kitchen with his wife, Claire. The 49-year-old said, “When we heard about the wedding we wanted to do something to help, so we put together a buffet for them.
“We wish Ann and Keith all the best for their special day.”
Many local suppliers have donated goods for this
(Image: Pete Stonier / Stoke Sentinel)
Suppliers who contributed to the wedding include:
GG’s kitchen
The Cabin, Werrington (drinks)
Wright’s cake
Bekis Banging Bombs (Desserts)
Sue Hughes (flowers)
Slim cars
Leek Post Office (balloons)
Just add chalk (sign)
Sam Mellor (hair)
India Hill (makeup)
Em Scott (nails)
Danny Callear (photographer)
Leeks weddings
