Couple vowing to raise charity cash
Weddingguestsaskedfordonations
A Lanarkshire couple hope to raise hundreds of pounds for two charities this weekend, after asking guests to donate cash instead of giving them gifts on their wedding day.
Bothwell’s Annemarie Hakeem and Carluke’s Ian Johnson want friends and family to help the Alzheimer’s Society and St Andrew’s Hospice.
They are tieing the knot this Sunday in the Bothwell Bridge Hotel and any money they receive will go towards the two good causes.
The bride-to-be, who works within the dementia unit at Crossford’s Orchard House Care Home as a senior care assistant, and her groom decided upon the gesture after realising that they already had everything they needed to start their life together.
Mum-of-four Annemarie (55) explained: “Ian and I decided that between us we had everything we needed and saw this as an opportunity to help raise funds for two charities that are special to us.
“Working within the dementia unit, I witness the devastation this brutal illness can cause to not only the patient but also their loved ones too, and I feel that contributions to this organisation to help fund research is a far better option than a wedding gift.”
The couple also decided not to spend exuberant amounts of cash on their big day, but instead purchased some items from St Andrew’s Hospice.
Annemarie added: “Whilst some people spend thousands upon thousands of pounds on their wedding, which is their right, we opted to try and purchase items from the charity at a far cheaper rate.
“So we got our wedding day and evening invites and table settings from the hospice shop on Bothwell Main Street. They are beautiful, and this way we have contributed to the charity also.”