A bride who was forced to cancel her dream wedding four times due to the coronavirus received a day that she will never forget thanks to a kind-hearted lottery winner.
The frustrated Erika Witheridge-Towers, 24, of Truro, Cornwall, got so tired of the postponements that she decided to organize her wedding in just four days.
But that meant she had to sacrifice a glamorous car to take it to church and settle for her father’s old Audi.
The beautiful bride couldn’t believe her eyes as she stepped outside on her wedding day to be greeted by a premium Bentley chauffeured by lottery winner Peter Congdon.
Erika with Peters Bentley on their wedding day
(Image: Steven Prebble Photography)
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On the subject of matching items
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On the subject of matching items
Unbeknownst to Erika, a close family friend, Em, had different ideas about the big day and, having heard stories in the past about the generosity of lottery winner Peter Congdon, contacted him to see if he was going that day was free and whether he would be able to help.
Peter, who won £ 13 million in May 2015, was more than happy to grant that request, and on the morning of the wedding he stepped in to drive the bride and her family in his limited edition, cricket ball red Bentley Continental Convertible.
Emma was happy: Erika said: “I couldn’t believe my eyes when I stepped outside in my wedding dress to see Peter and his Bentley. It was such an incredible moment.
“We drove through central Truro to the venue with the roof open and people stopped all the way to clap and wish me well. In all honesty, I felt like Kate Middleton!
“He did it all for free, but Peter even offered to wait in front of the venue during our wedding so we could take some real photos in the car afterwards, which was such a nice touch.”
Peter even drove Erika and her family to the wedding
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On the subject of matching items
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On the subject of matching items
Emma had originally planned her wedding for May 2020 and after various changes agreed on May next year.
But when the Prime Minister announced that from September 28, the number of guests allowed to attend a wedding would drop from 30 to 15, she had enough and could not wait any longer and planned her dream wedding in just four days.
She said, “After such a difficult year, Aaron and I felt very strongly that we wanted to get married. As soon as Boris Johnson made his announcement I called the venue and when they said they would be available on the 27th I jumped in on them. Even if that meant planning everything in just four days.
“If you plan a wedding so quickly, you have to make compromises, of course, and although I have always dreamed of coming to my wedding in style, I have resigned myself to making my appearance in my father’s Audi. In the end, I loved the idea of getting into my father’s car, but a Bentley really made me feel like I was being taken to our wedding. “
It made her day even more special
(Image: Steven Prebble Photography)
The salon manager married her beloved Aaron, 25, at the posh Alverton Hotel in Truro after being driven there in style.
Proud Peter, 73, said: “I took the chance to do something special for Erika and Aaron on their wedding day. Hopefully it will be a day they look back many, many years to come.
“This year has been a difficult year for so many people. I’m glad I was able to help them celebrate while they could.
“The drive to the Alverton (hotel) is familiar to me as I celebrated my 2015 win here. So it was a fun trip back in time. “
But this is not the first time Peter has stepped in to make a special day more memorable, Erika is the seventh bride he drove to their wedding by his count.
He’s also driven local children from his estate to their school balls – ten from the last count.
Peter said, “It’s so easy for me to share my happiness with the people around me.
“Winning the lottery enabled me to pursue my passion for cars and it is a privilege to be able to intervene and help make people’s special day more memorable.”
Since his win, Peter has bought a number of cars, including two Bentleys, two BMWs, and three Range Rovers.
He’s also splashed on cars for all of his kids and grandchildren.
