A ‘dream’ wedding day that ended in tragedy
● Courageous Hazel had hoped to tie the knot with fiancé Jonathan
A dying mother’s hopes of a dream wedding ended in heart-breaking tragedy after she passed away hours before celebrations were to start.
Hazel Jack and fiancé Jonathan Gauld, both 42, had planned to tie the knot later this year.
The couple’s plans were brought forward after specialists at Edinburgh’s Western General Hospital told Hazel earlier this month that she had only weeks left to live.
After receiving the news, friends Gillian Anderson, Emma Davis and Wendy Jack made an online appeal to make their “gorgeous girl’s dream wedding” come true, posting a list of donations they needed for the special day.
The Facebook post was shared more than 4,000 times and the three friends were inundated with offers of help, with everything from a wedding dress to the use of a castle being donated by businesses and individuals.
The wedding was set to take place in Cornhill Castle near Biggar yesterday.
Speaking the day before the wedding, Gillian said: “Hazel has just had her dress fitting and just looked incredible.”
On the morning of the big day, the childhood sweethearts woke up in the fairytale castle ready to make precious memories, with their threeyear-old son Darrach.
But Hazel, who is said to have carried herself with “dignity” during a six-year battle with breast cancer, slipped away peacefully shortly before stepping into her wedding dress.
Devastated bridesmaid and best friend Gillian broke the sad news to guests at 11am yesterday.
Writing on Facebook, she said: “Our beautiful Hazel has died this morning after her courageous battle with cancer.
“Thank you to everyone who has been there for Hazel, the family and friends and those who have so generously donated to her dream wedding.”
Hazel’s fiancé was described as being distraught, but decided to go ahead with the day’s plan and used the wedding as an opportunity for himself and others to celebrate her life
Jonathan and Darrach, who had matching kilts specially made for the day, were joined by guests and well wishers at 6pm to raise a glass in Hazel’s memory.
Hazel’s funeral will be held next week and the money raised will go to covering its costs.
“Our beautiful Hazel has died this morning after her courageous battle with cancer. Thank you to everyone who has been there ...”
GILLIAN ANDERSON