A mother who was told that her pancreatic cancer was getting worse has married her partner of 42 years in a hospital bedside ceremony.
Mandy Helen Lucitt, 57 from West Kingsdown in Kent, tied the knot with her partner Kevin McCarthy, 62, on the Oak Ward of the Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford in a 2pm ceremony.
The new Mrs McCarthy had earlier been told that her condition, pancreatic cancer, was getting worse and so the couple decided to bring forward their April 27 wedding.
Pictured are newlyweds Helen and Kevin McCarthy with their daughter Jessica, 31 (back left), son Rudi, 39 (right) and second cousin Sarah Lyons, 32 from Ireland (front left)
The couple are parents to Jessica, Rudi and Ryan, who was lost to cot death in 1984.
They have been together for 42 years and their decision triggered a rush to prepare the ceremony in just one day.
Friends and family digested the news and managed to rally around to pull off a beautiful ceremony.
This included finding a wedding ring that would fit, which was picked up from a jeweller’s at 10pm on Tuesday, April 3, the night before.
Other duties also included arranging a cake, flowers, balloons, hair and makeup, and the dress.
Pictured is Kevin McCarthy looking emotional as he holds the hand of his new wife Mandy as she is greeted by friends and relatives
The couple of 42 years had decided to bring their April 27 wedding forward after the new Mrs McCarthy was told her pancreatic cancer had worsened
Friends and relatives made a special effort to attend, with some even flying in from Ireland.
The ceremony itself was conducted by Janet Potter and Peter Tongue from the Dartford Registry Office.
Ms Potter said: ‘Ceremonies such of these are always a priority for our office and we will always go above and beyond to ensure that a Registry of General Licence can be done straightaway for such occasions’.
After the ceremony, the couple went home with the hospital taking to Facebook to share photos of the wedding.
The photos have been met with an outpouring of support for the couple with messages of congratulations on social media.
Pink balloons filled the room as Mandy Helen Lucitt and Kevin McCarthy exchanged their vows at the Darrent Valley Hospital
The Facebook posts have been shared 314 times, more than 2,100 people have acknowledged the post and there are nearly 500 comments.
In a statement posted by the hospital, staff said Mrs McCarthy is passionate about fundraising for children’s charities.
In 2014, her four-year-old granddaughter Layla lost her battle with Leukaemia, making her even more determined to help children’s charities.
She has since raised £12,000 which has been pledged to charities such as Great Ormond Street, Demelza House, The Royal Marsden and Ellenor.
A message on the Just Giving page, written by her daughter Jessica, reads: ‘Mum’s grandchildren are her everything, but instead of spending her time sad she channeled her energy into making Layla proud by continuously fundraising.
‘Mum has organised several events over the years which have raised money for charities such as the Royal Marsden children’s ward and GOSH charity.
The couple tied the knot on the Oak Ward of the Darent Valley Hospital in Dartford, Kent in a 2pm ceremony
‘Sadly, this Easter mum wasn’t able to take part in this charity work as she was diagnosed with cancer and is currently fighting in hospital.’
People are encouraged to donate to the online page to help Mrs McCarthy continue her positive work.
The statement added: ‘In order to make mum feel like she is doing her bit we are asking our kind friends and family to spare a little change and work together to help mum feel like she is still helping those poorly children.’