The Irish Mail on Sunday

Crash our wedding!

Couple sell seats at nuptials to help sick friend

- By Nick Bramhill

A KIND-HEARTED couple are auctioning off places at their wedding reception to help a friend who suffered catastroph­ic injuries after falling off a horse.

Patsy O’Connor, from Kanturk, Co. Cork, had hoped to raise money to cover the cost of his big day in Las Vegas next month by selling off six seats at the wedding reception to random strangers.

But the 39-year-old said he and his Bulgarian fiancée Radina Hadshieva have scaled down their lavish plans and will instead donate 90% of the money they raise to help out their friend.

Alex Ott, a well-known equestrian enthusiast and father of four young children, suffered serious spinal injuries while exercising a horse near his Newmarket, Co. Cork home in November. The Alex Ott Appeal was set up to assist him and his family during his recovery, which is expected to include a three-year rehabilita

tion program.

Although Patsy and Radina will end up effectivel­y paying to entertain six strangers at their wedding, Patsy said: ‘It was always more about the fun element anyway. Alex and his family need the funds much more than we do.’

Offers from would-be wedding guests start at €300 on www.gatecrashm­ywedding.com. See Facebook for the Alex Ott Appeal.

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 ??  ?? altruism: Patsy O’Connor and Radina
Hadshieva, right, are helping Alex Ott, left
altruism: Patsy O’Connor and Radina Hadshieva, right, are helping Alex Ott, left

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