Terminally ill New Zealand woman marries her partner after son crowdfunds for a wedding in hospital

A terminally-ill woman has married the love of her life and partner of 30 years after their son raised money for them to tie the knot in hospice care.

Sonia Towersey and Michael Sims finally got married after a 20-year engagement at Te Omanga Hospice in Wellington, New Zealand, on Saturday.

Ms Towersey was diagnosed with cancer in her liver and pancreas in April, shortly after the pair returned from their first holiday together without their three children.

Although the pair were engaged for 20 years, it took a push from their 21-year-old-son, Dylan, for them to finally say ‘I do’. 

Sonia Towersey and Michael Sims finally tied the knot after a 20-year engagement (pictured with their children Dalton, 25, left, Elizabeth, 18, second from right, and Dylan, 21, right)

Terminally ill Sonia Towersey finally got to marry the love of her life and partner of 30 years after their son raised money for them to get married in hospital

Terminally ill Sonia Towersey finally got to marry the love of her life and partner of 30 years after their son raised money for them to get married in hospital

Pictures show Ms Towersey being pushed down the aisle by Dalton as Dylan clutches his mother's hand

Pictures show Ms Towersey being pushed down the aisle by Dalton as Dylan clutches his mother’s hand 

Ms Towersey was diagnosed with cancer in her liver and pancreas in April, shortly after the pair returned from their first holiday together without their three children

Ms Towersey was diagnosed with cancer in her liver and pancreas in April, shortly after the pair returned from their first holiday together without their three children

While they always intended to get married, Dylan said bringing up he and his siblings, Dalton, 25, and Elizabeth, 18, on a limited income was priorty.

The loving parents were focused on giving their three children the best life they could.  

‘They never got married because they were really focused on us kids,’ Dylan told Daily Mail Austalia.

‘They were making sure we were set up for the future and got the best education they could give us. They made sure we got the best out of life.’   

However, the 21-year-old knew that it was something they always wanted so he made sure to make it happen. 

‘Just knowing they’ve been together for so long and they’ve always wanted it pushed me to try and organise this,’  Dylan said.

The local community came together to help the loving couple finally get married, with celebrant Tisha Wilson donating her time for free.

Terminally ill Sonia Towersey and her partner Michael Sims finally tied the knot after a 20-year engagement at Te Omanga Hospice in Wellington

Terminally ill Sonia Towersey and her partner Michael Sims finally tied the knot after a 20-year engagement at Te Omanga Hospice in Wellington

While the pair always intended to get married, Dylan said bringing up he and his siblings on a limited income was priorty

While the pair always intended to get married, Dylan said bringing up he and his siblings on a limited income was priorty

The cake, the catering and the bride’s dress were donated for free, while the hospice let the family use the staffroom and even set up a ‘honeymoon room’ for the newlyweds.

Dylan set up a Givealittle page to fund the wedding, which raised more than $2,100.

When he asked for help online, Domino’s Pizza in Lower Hutt offered to organise a ‘doughraiser’ to pay for the wedding rings presented to the couple. 

Vintage cars were also at the wedding, giving Ms Towersey a thrill during the drive to the venue.

‘Mum went for a little boost in the car, we asked how fast it could go and he put his foot down and it was the first big smile I saw on my mums face,’ Dylan said.

Pictures show Ms Towersey being pushed down the aisle by Dalton as Dylan clutches his mother’s hand.

The pair sat in front of a wooden arch with fairy lights behind them as the letters M and S hung from above

The pair sat in front of a wooden arch with fairy lights behind them as the letters M and S hung from above

The cake (pictured), the catering and the bride's dress were donated for free for the wedding

The cake (pictured), the catering and the bride’s dress were donated for free for the wedding

‘There was a speech welcoming everyone to the wedding, then the celebrant took over and they got married,’ Dylan said.

The pair sat in front of a wooden arch with fairy lights behind them as the letters M and S hung from above.

As the celebrant was talking, she told guests about the answers she received from the couple when asked why they wanted to get married.

Mr Sims replied with a sweet ‘because we love each other’, while Ms Towersey said it was ‘about time’.

Dylan said the couple lived on the same street when they were younger, but Ms Towersey wasn’t fond of her now-husband.

‘To start of with mum hated dad… so she went to England and came back and her sister decided to introduce them,’ he said.

The 21-year-old said his parents’ wedding ceremony was ‘beautiful’ and something he would cherish for the rest of his life.

‘It was a dream come true… I’ve always wanted to see them married,’ Dylan said. 

The 21-year-old said his parents' wedding ceremony was 'beautiful' and something he would cherish for the rest of his life

The 21-year-old said his parents’ wedding ceremony was ‘beautiful’ and something he would cherish for the rest of his life

Vintage cars were also at the wedding, giving Ms Towersey a thrill during the drive to the venue

Vintage cars were also at the wedding, giving Ms Towersey a thrill during the drive to the venue

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