Hayley’s wedding wish comes true
Shark survivor’s charity trek
TWO years after a shark almost took his legs, Ballina bodyboarder Mat Lee is preparing to scale Mt Warning.
He has decided to make the trek to raise money for mental health charity Beyond Blue.
Mr Lee said the organisation had helped him face own difficulties while recovering IT was raining tears at Burleigh Heads yesterday when soulmates and parents Hayley Taylor and Trevor Francis finally put a ring on it – 15 years after they first met.
“For our kids, (it means) everything. It’s the best day of my life,” Hayley said.
Sadly, the beautiful outdoor ceremony was the last item on a “bucket list” the couple penned after they received devastating news – doctors have given Hayley only months to live.
“With everything that’s going on at the moment, it’s just nice to have something happy at the end of the day instead of hospitals and bad news and just sadness,” Hayley said.
Mother to sons Lachlan, 16, and Blair, 10, Hayley, 34, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016 that has not responded to treatment.
Her diagnosis was recently upgraded to terminal metastatic cancer that has reached her organs.
“When we found out we created a bucket list. We’ve knocked everything off that bucket list and we saved this for last,” Trevor, 33, said.
Trevor said Hayley always wanted a beach wedding.
“I said pick a beach and we’ll do it. It’s been 15 years in the making,” he said.
The Brisbane couple’s dream wedding in front of family and friends was made possible with the help of My Wedding Wish, a national charity that has been gifting weddings and same sex commitment ceremonies to the terminally ill since 2013.
“It was my dad who found out about it (My Wedding from injuries caused by a shark attack while surfing off North Wall at Ballina.
Mr Lee’s partner Suzy Gerada made the announcement online yesterday. She also revealed the pair have had a tough time recovering.
“(Beyond Blue) is close to both our hearts as we have Wish) and passed it on to us,” Hayley said.
“We filled it out and got a phone call back within a couple of hours and from there, it’s been non-stop for three weeks. The last three weeks have just been an absolute blur but it’s great to come here today and see all the friends and family and celebrate with them.”
More than 20 My Wedding Wish Gold Coast suppliers donated everything the couple needed – from Hayley’s wedding dress and the bridal party’s outfits to a sound system, transport, hair, makeup, photography, outdoor chapel, celebrant and a live musician – for yesterday’s
WHEN WE FOUND OUT WE CREATED A BUCKET LIST. WE’VE KNOCKED EVERYTHING OFF THAT BUCKET LIST AND WE SAVED THIS FOR LAST.
perfect ceremony under blues skies in John Laws Park overlooking Burleigh Point.
“They’re just amazing, amazing people. If it wasn’t for them we would not be here today,” Hayley said.
Founded by Sunshine Coast marriage celebrant Lynette Maguire, My Wedding Wish helps the terminally ill marry with dignity.
“The wedding suppliers who get involved give a lot, but as a group they get so much back helping the couples to create the most precious of moments and memories,” Ms Maguire said.
Visit myweddingwish.org for details. both dealt with depression, anxiety and PTSD,” Ms Gerada said.
“Mat and I will be climbing Mount Warning to mark his progress physically and mentally.”
Go to www.gofundme.com and search for Climb For Beyond Blue.