Ward wedding for heart attack man
AHEART attack prompted a man to marry his partner of 25 years - the very next day.
Philip Pickrick, 82, from Hazel Grove, became seriously ill and was rushed to Stepping Hill Hospital on June 14.
After medics told him he has suffered a heart attack he proposed to girlfriend Kathleen Geering, 81 and they decided to take the plunge as soon as possible.
The couple informed staff on the coronary care ward and the hospital chaplains organised registrars to visit and carry out the ceremony.
Everything was arranged within 24 hours and friends and family gathered at the ward for the happy day. The hospital chaplain then blessed the ceremony.
Kathleen said: “It was a terrible and frightening experience when Philip had his heart attack, but it made us take the plunge and get married.
“I’d like to thank the staff at the hospital twice over. First for the brilliant care they’ve given Philip after his heart attack and secondly for helping us organise the wedding at such short notice.
“They’ve been absolutely marvellous and helped us have a wonderful day.”
Philip and Kathleen first met nearly 30 years ago at the British Aerospace headquarters in Stockport, where they both worked.
He was a structural engineer and she was a secretary. The couple got together in 1990.
Since the ceremony, as Philip’s condition has improved, he was first moved to a non-emergency ward and then this week he returned to the couple’s home.
Helen Sherwood, a sister on the coronary care unit, said: “It was a real pleasure for us to help organise the wedding ceremony for Philip and Kathleen.
“And it was even more of a pleasure to see Philip leave the ward on the way to recovery.
“We wish them all the best for together.”
The couple are not the first to marry at Stepping Hill.
Last year George Kay, 79, from Offerton, married his partner Ann Millin, 78, while a patient in the A10 ward. married life