‘It was a day full of joy from beginning to end’

Hospice makes wedding wish come true for soulmates

Bob Cook and Sue Weatherall on their wedding day and right, with their family Hospice staff pulled out all the stops to help a pensioner with terminal cancer fulfil a dying wish to marry his soulmate.

Bob Cook, 77, wed Sue Weatherall in a moving service at Canterbury’s Pilgrim’s Hospice, surrounded by family and friends.

The couple from Littlebourne have been together for 20 years and engaged for 14, with Bob proposing on a romantic holiday to Jersey in 2003.

Life got in the way of them tying the knot, but they were finally able to exchange their vows on Thursday, three-anda-half years after Bob was diagnosed with cancer.

Bob, a retired fire preven prevention officer, said: “Since I was given the news, Sue has been there for me by my side and my sole aim is to make her happy. “When I saw her standing there on our wedding day it took my breath away – I couldn’t believe how lovely she looked.

“It was a day was full of joy from beginning to end. Everyone from the hospice – from the cleaners to the chief executive – came together to make it happen.”

Bob’s grandchildren and his son Russell Cook joined the couple on their special day, as well as lifelong friends Ann King and her husband Graham, who gave Sue away.

Sue, 51, said: “Getting married this week has been a dream come true for both of us.

“It’s something we always wanted to do, then life got in the way, but now we’ve made it happen it’s perfect. I have no regrets.

“Even after 20 years together, getting married has been a special way to show that commitment that we are there for each other no matter what.”

“We are soulmates. We’ve been each others’ best friends.”

The hospice’s spiritual care lead Martyn Yates said: “When Bob told us of his wedding wishes, we did our level best to support his plans and were so delighted to have been able to share his special day with his bride Sue.

“Special occasions that support families through difficult times are an important part of our work.”