Incredible moment a mum marries the love of her life the day before the 22-year-old footy player died of a brain tumour – as family and friends perform an emotional haka at the wedding
- A mother married her terminally-ill fiance in an intimate backyard wedding
- Navar Herbert died just months after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour
- The 22-year-old father-of-one was an otherwise fit and healthy football player
- His wife Maia is fundraising to bring his body home to New Zealand for burial
A mother married her terminally-ill fiancé in an intimate backyard wedding just one day before he lost his battle with cancer.
Navar Herbert, an otherwise fit and healthy Queensland-based football player, died on Tuesday night.
The 22-year-old was diagnosed with a brain tumour several months ago and his condition quickly deteriorated.
His wife, Maia Falwasser, has shared the footage of their romantic backyard wedding on a GoFundMe page she established to raise money to fly Navar’s body back to his hometown of Otorohanga, New Zealand.
A mother married her terminally ill fiance in a touching backyard wedding days before he lost his battle with cancer
After the ceremony, a group of men performed the haka to a teary Navar, before coming up one by one to congratulate the couple on their union
Navar was assisted by his groomsmen and family to get ready for the event on Monday, as they helped put on his crisp, white button-up suit and loafers.
He was then wheeled to the event in preparation for his future wife to walk down the aisle.
Maia wiped away tears as she made her way down the aisle hand in hand with her mother, before joining Navar under the canopy.
Navar told his wife how much he loved her moments before they officially became husband and wife.
The couple’s young son, Kyrie, was also present at the wedding and featured in the video with their loved ones.
Navar told his wife how much he loved her moments before they officially became husband and wife
After the ceremony, a group of men performed the haka to a teary Navar, before coming up one by one to congratulate the couple on their union.
Maia is now campaigning to raise money to bring Navar’s body to New Zealand
Maia is now campaigning to raise money to bring Navar’s body to Kotahitanga Marae, a town in New Zealand where he asked to be laid to rest before he died.
‘Today my heart is heavy and sad, I lost my best friend, husband and the father to our son,’ Maia wrote in a touching tribute to her late husband.
‘I feel absolutely showered in love by friends and family … This is a hard time, however I do find my strength and refuge in everybody’s support.
‘Navar impacted so many people near and far, and he will always be in our memories and have a special place in our hearts.’
Navar’s football club, the Narang Bulls, have organised a celebration of his life and have been tirelessly fundraising to help with costs associated with bringing his body home.
‘The effect will be across the whole club. My understanding is there has probably been between 20 and 30 of the players there at any given time over the last couple of days,’ a spokesman for the club said.
The couple’s young son, Kyrie, was also present at the wedding and featured in the video with their loved ones
Navar Herbert, an otherwise fit and healthy Queensland based football player, died on Tuesday night